boston
Joe Mazzulla, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, showed a compassionate side on Sunday when he was asked about former Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis, 31, recently revealed that he has decided to prioritize his health and step away from the game he loves. He did not specify the exact health issue he is dealing with.
Porzingis, a Latvian center, was a key member of the Celtics' 2024 NBA championship team. He played under Mazzulla in Boston before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2025. Mazzulla said he has spoken with Porzingis since the announcement. "I talked to him on the plane. I reached out to him," Mazzulla told reporters before Sunday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks. "I think I had a good conversation with him. Also, some of my other guys on the staff did as well."
Mazzulla added that the situation serves as a reminder of the broader challenges NBA players face. "I think it's just a good reminder of what we go through in an NBA season, and look at these guys as athletes, and as basketball players. They're a lot more than that," he said. "I think that's a good reminder of that, and their platforms, their lives, their careers are so much more important than what happens on a court there."
Even though Porzingis is no longer with the Celtics—he is currently under contract with the Golden State Warriors—Mazzulla said the team would try to support its former player. "He's in a pretty good space, and whatever we can do to help him, we will," Mazzulla said. "I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with him, on and off the court. Just a guy that when he comes into the room, he lights the room up, lights the locker room up."
Key Analysis
Mazzulla's comments highlight the personal connections that often endure beyond team affiliations in professional sports. His willingness to reach out to Porzingis, despite the center now playing for another team, underscores the human element of the game. Porzingis' decision to step away also brings attention to the importance of health and well-being for athletes, a topic that resonates across all sports.
In other Boston sports news, the Patriots fell to the Packers 45-27 on Sunday. They will next face the Lions on November 15 at 9:30 a.m. in Germany as part of the NFL International Series. The Celtics defeated the Bucks 117-97 and will play the 76ers on Tuesday in Philadelphia at 8 p.m. The Bruins earned a 4-1 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Originally reported by boston.