On Monday, the Boston Celtics took a 98-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made his feelings known about the matchup’s officiating.
At postgame availability, a reporter asked Mazzulla, “Take us through the last couple of possessions.” Mazzulla responded with, “Illegal screen.” He continued to repeat the phrase when asked further questions.
Mazzulla is likely referring to the Pacers’ last offensive possession, when Pascal Siakam shifted his weight into the defending Derrick White to create a driving lane for Andrew Nembhard. Nembhard then passed to Siakam for a game-winning floater from inside the paint.
The Celtics had a chance to counter on the other end of the court, but Derrick White missed a three-point shot as time expired.
Mazzulla’s “illegal screen” comment came days after Celtics star Jaylen Brown criticized officials following Saturday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Brown was fined $35,000 by the NBA.
What’s Next?
Despite two consecutive losses, the Celtics still show promise as playoff hopefuls. Boston is positioned third in the Eastern Conference standings with a 24-15 record, behind the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
Boston’s past offseason was headlined by the departure of a few key stars, such as Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. However, younger players like Neemias Queta, Anfernee Simons, and Jordan Walsh have taken advantage of the opportunity.
The biggest challenge for the franchise has been filling the absence of franchise player Jayson Tatum. Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during a playoff series with the Knicks back in May.
While the likes of Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton are expected to miss the entirety of the 2025-2026 season due to the same injury, the news surrounding Tatum is more optimistic. Recent reports suggest that the six-time All-Star could return to action at some point during the regular season.
With only six wins separating the third and tenth seeds, the Eastern Conference remains wide open. Continued discussion surrounding officiating shows the importance of each victory as the NBA reaches the midseason point.
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