Joe Mazzulla’s Latest Jaylen Brown Answer Reveals Celtics’ Biggest Priority originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Joe Mazzulla probably knew the questions about Jaylen Brown were not going away anytime soon. The former Boston Celtics star is now playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the circumstances surrounding his departure continue to generate conversation throughout the NBA.
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On Thursday, Mazzulla had another opportunity to address the subject. This time, the question came from a fan during his weekly appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand.”
The caller wanted to know about Brown’s previous description of the 2025-26 season as his favorite, despite Jayson Tatum missing most of that campaign because of an Achilles injury. Some observers interpreted the comment as criticism of Tatum, even though Brown subsequently explained that he was referring to the growth and resilience of the team.
Mazzulla didn’t take the bait.
Instead, the Celtics coach delivered a response that said plenty about where his attention is focused.
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Mazzulla Refuses To Let Old Storylines Define New Celtics
Mazzulla explained that players should feel comfortable speaking honestly, even when their comments are interpreted differently outside the organization.
He also emphasized that Boston cannot control every reaction to a player’s words. What matters to him is the understanding and trust inside the locker room.
That distinction is important because the Celtics are navigating a significant transition.
Brown helped establish Boston as one of the NBA’s most successful organizations during his tenure. His contributions to the franchise cannot simply be erased because he now wears a Philadelphia uniform.
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Mazzulla acknowledged that history while making clear that the current Celtics deserve his attention.
He told the radio audience that continuing to discuss subjects unrelated to the 2026-27 team would take attention away from the players currently trying to build something together.
That is a notable message from a coach whose team has opened the season 3-1.
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Jayson Tatum And Celtics Have Bigger Things To Consider
Boston has already provided several encouraging signs during the opening week. Tatum delivered a remarkable performance Tuesday against Brooklyn, scoring 40 points and hitting the winning basket at the overtime buzzer in a 125-124 victory.
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The performance was another encouraging step in his return after the Achilles injury that limited him to 16 games last season. The Celtics also have several players adjusting to different responsibilities, including Jordan Walsh, Paul George and Derrick White.
Those developments require considerably more attention than speculation about something Brown said months earlier. Mazzulla’s answer did not suggest that he holds any resentment toward his former star. Quite the opposite. He credited Brown with helping shape his coaching career and Boston’s success.
However, he also made it clear that appreciation for the past cannot become a distraction from the present.
The Celtics will visit Philadelphia on Nov. 10, providing another opportunity for the Brown storyline to return to the headlines. Until then, Mazzulla has a different priority. Boston is trying to establish the identity of its current roster, and its coach has no interest in allowing an old controversy to overshadow that process.
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