Joe Mazzulla thinks silverware is in a bad first 13 games

BOSTON — Talk of the offseason around Boston Celtics mostly about what they lost and what they miss.

They are missing a six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum, who is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles and is not guaranteed to play during the 2025-26 season. They are missing key players from their 2024 championship team, including Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Jrue Holidayand Luke Cornet.

So what’s left for the new-look Cs? According to the Celtics head coach Joe Mazzullahis team and beyond he has plenty of effort and he is determined to avoid the apathy that often comes with the expected decline of the year.

“We cared,” Macula said Wednesday night when asked what he learned about his 6-7 team. “There’s a big care factor. And a high competition factor. I think during the season you can do a lot with that.”

Joe Mazzulla on what he’s learned about his team in 13 games in:

“We care. There’s a big ‘care factor’… I think we have the humility to know we’re not playing the way we want to, but we also know we’re playing hard and we can be a lot better.” pic.twitter.com/P0mZENGJjr

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) November 13, 2025

Less than an hour before Mazzula’s comments, the Celtics were coming off a 131-95 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden. Mazzula’s men led by 21 points at halftime and instead of letting up, they kept going and outscored the Griz 64-49 in the final 24 minutes of play.

Boston’s most lopsided win of the early season was a team effort, as 11 of the 13 players who participated in the action recorded at least five points. After the blowout, the Celtics spoke highly of each other.

Guard Derrick White was named the reigning Sixth Man of the Year Peyton Pritchard “the ultimate competitor”. Mazzulla said White, even in the midst of a shooting slump, is willing to do “whatever it takes” to help the C’s win. He also added that backup center Luke Garza’s super power simply plays harder than everyone else on the floor.

Joe Mazzulla on Luke Garza’s work ethic and solid games:

“He has a special gift to play harder than everyone else on the floor.” pic.twitter.com/cNuCK6mt3a

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) November 13, 2025

Obviously, the Celtics not only care about each other, they care about competing during a season where fans and pundits alike talked about tanking.

Does the Celtics’ effort match their results?

Despite this show of heart, Boston is still under .500 and in 11th place in the weakened Eastern Conference. Still, the Celtics are in the top 10 in offensive and defensive team rating and are just behind the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers — the top two seeds in the East — in net rating.

The Celtics’ main problems so far have nothing to do with effort. They are more about execution, especially in the clutch. Boston is 2-5 in games decided by 10 points or fewer and ranks a lowly 26th in net rating.

“We just have to keep improving,” Macula admitted. “I think we have the humility to know that we’re not playing the way we want to, but we also know that we’re playing hard and that we can be a lot better.”

Fortunately for the Celtics, they will have time to improve in a gameless environment with three days until their next contest. Boston took Thursday off and then plans to practice Friday and Saturday to prepare for a tough final week in November that includes four straight games against likely playoff teams (Orlando Magic, Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves and Cavaliers).

“I’m excited for these next two days of practice,” Mazzulla said.

As soon as the Celtics finish practice on Saturday, they will turn their attention to the 3-8 Los Angeles Clippers, who come to Beantown on Sunday afternoon. Even with all that the Celtics lack from last season, they will likely be favored in that matinee and then again in the next two games against the 1-10 Brooklyn Nets.

If the Celtics want to turn their commitment into a winning record, now is their chance.