Celtics' Joe Mazzulla Sends Nsfw Message To Immanuel Quickley Amid Preseason Drama

Joe Mazzulla's Fiery Retort to Immanuel Quickley

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is known for his no-nonsense approach, both on and off the court. On Wednesday night, during a preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors, Mazzulla fired back at Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley for some exuberant showmanship.

With just under four minutes remaining in the second quarter, RJ Barrett launched a fast break for the Raptors, setting up Quickley for a wide-open three-pointer from the corner. Quickley, feeling the energy, celebrated his successful shot with a playful phone call gesture in front of the Celtics bench. The move didn't sit well with Mazzulla, who called a timeout to confront the Raptors guard, delivering a stern message: “Shut the f**k up.”

Understanding the Preseason Tensions

It's the preseason, yet tempers flared, leading to Mazzulla's blunt response to Quickley's antics. The Celtics coach likely saw Quickley's celebration as unnecessary bravado, especially since these games don't affect the official standings.

“Even in exhibition games, emotions can run high,” remarked a Celtics insider. “Mazzulla's reaction shows his commitment to maintaining focus, even when the stakes are low.”

Despite the on-court drama, the Celtics emerged victorious with a nail-biting 110-108 win, bringing their preseason record to 2-1. Key players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard logged significant minutes, showcasing their potential in Jayson Tatum's absence.

Celtics Thrive Without Jayson Tatum

As star player Jayson Tatum recovers from a ruptured Achilles, the Celtics are in a transitional phase. Head coach Joe Mazzulla is banking on players like White, Pritchard, and Jaylen Brown to step up.

On Wednesday, Derrick White led the charge with an impressive 33 points, while Payton Pritchard contributed 10 assists, despite struggling with his shooting. The Celtics aim to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference, eyeing a potential playoff spot if their rising stars continue to shine.