Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla fined for actions at end of Celtics-Bulls game

"I just hadn't seen them in a while, so just a Merry Christmas, happy holidays."

Celtics assistant coach Tony Dobbins, head coach Joe Mazzulla, and assistant coach Sam Cassell react to the referee’s technical foul call on Mazzulla during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on Thursday. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was fined $35,000 for “aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language toward a game official” Thursday night.

Mazzulla received a technical foul for leaving the coach’s box and walking onto the floor during the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ 117-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

When the final buzzer sounded, Mazzulla tried to approach referee Justin Van Duyne and had to be restrained by Celtics assistant coaches.

Afterward, while speaking to reporters, Mazzulla wryly explained his rationale.

“I just hadn’t seen them in a while, so just a Merry Christmas, happy holidays,” Mazzulla said with a straight face. “I wasn’t sure I was going to see them before the holiday. You just can’t let a moment go by where you wish someone the best to them and their families.”

The Celtics are back in action against those same Bulls on Saturday.

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