Joe Mazzulla referenced his high school principal while defending Jaylen Brown after ejection
"He was a hell of a principal."
Joe Mazzulla’s take on Jaylen Brown getting ejected: During an anticipated NBA matchup on Tuesday between two powerhouses (the Celtics and Spurs), Jaylen Brown’s night unexpectedly ended early when he was ejected in the second quarter after being given two technical fouls in quick succession.
The ejection was controversial, both in the initial incident — Brown thought he had been fouled — and because the second technical was given to him not by crew chief Tyler Ford but by third official Suyash Mehta. It led to a protracted scene in which Brown did not immediately leave the court after he was dismissed.
After the game — which Boston lost to San Antonio — Brown was still upset (posting about it on social media). But he received support from head coach Joe Mazzulla, who offered a characteristically notable soundbite. Asked about the ejection, the Celtics coach made a thinly-veiled indirect reference.
“I just give a ton of credit to my high school principal. He had the balls to throw a student out. He didn’t leave it to the hall monitor,” said Mazzulla, in a nod to Mehta (as third official) being the one to dismiss Brown.
Asked a follow-up question, Mazzulla simply reiterated his original reference.
“He was a hell of a principal.”
On a more serious note, he expressed his full support for Brown.
“I understand completely where Jaylen was coming from, absolutely,” Mazzulla told reporters. “And I’ve got his back 100 percent. I think he was 100 percent right to be frustrated and do what he did.”
The Celtics have a quick turnaround, and will face the defending NBA champion Thunder on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Classic Joe Mazzulla when asked about Jaylen Brown’s ejection and that crew chief Tyler Ford did not assess the second technical to Brown, instead it was Suyash Mehta. #Celtics #Spurs. pic.twitter.com/MeSnIEhIGf
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) March 11, 2026
Trivia: Speaking of Joe Mazzulla’s high school (Bishop Hendricken in Rhode Island), he is actually not the only NBA head coach to have attended the school. Can you name the other championship-winning coach who attended the Warwick high school?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He became an NBA champion in 2023.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics lost to the Spurs 125-116 on Tuesday. Boston will play the Thunder on Thursday in Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m.
Also from Tuesday, the Bruins defeated the Kings 2-1 in overtime. Boston will face the Sharks at TD Garden on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Boston Fleet play the Goldeneyes in Vancouver at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, Boston Legacy FC take the field for the first time in an official game, debuting in NWSL league play at Gillette Stadium against defending champions Gotham FC at 12:30 p.m.
And on Sunday, the Revolution make their 2026 home opener against FC Cincinnati at 2:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Victor Wembanyama shines, Jaylen Brown is ejected as Celtics drop chaotic loss to Spurs: 7 takeaways
- Patriots free agency live updates: K’Lavon Chaisson reportedly leaving Patriots for Commanders
- 4 things to know about new Patriots WR Romeo Doubs
- Jaylen Brown blasts refs on social media after being ejected from Spurs game
- Charlie McAvoy’s reward as Bruins’ OT hero? Another trip to the dentist’s chair.
- Patriots reportedly remain interested in A.J. Brown trade after signing Romeo Doubs
- Report: Flag football game featuring Tom Brady moved out of Saudi Arabia
- Tell us: What’s been Joe Mazzulla’s best soundbite?
Bam’s big night: Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored the second-most points in an NBA game on Tuesday, dropping a remarkable 83 points on the Wizards in a 150-129 win.
Italy stuns the United States: In one of the great upsets at the World Baseball Classic, Italy defeated the United States on Tuesday 8-6.
On this day: In 2005, the Celtics (led by Paul Pierce) defeated the defending champion Pistons in a wild 115-113 overtime matchup. Pierce dropped 38 points, adding 12 rebounds.
Elsewhere, future NHL player Brian Gionta led Boston College to a 3-2 win over UMass, while Holy Cross fought for its place in the NCAA Tournament (which they would fail to make). Bode Miller prepared to win an FIS World Cup title, and Curt Schilling doubted his chances of starting the Red Sox season opener (which he would miss).
Daily highlight: Charlie McAvoy scored an emphatic winner for the Bruins in overtime on Tuesday.
CHARLIE MCAVOY @ENERGIZER OVERTIME WINNER! 🐻
— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026
WHAT A GOAL, WHAT A CELLY! pic.twitter.com/TonyrGl1YZ
Trivia answer: Michael Malone
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