BOSTON — During what’s become an increasingly dark time in Minnesota, players, coaches, and public figures alike have begun speaking out against the deadly violence carried out by federal immigration agents. On Monday night, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla joined in on the conversation.
Before hosting the Trail Blazers at TD Garden to open a four‑game homestand, Mazzulla was asked about the unrest in Minnesota that so far has resulted in the deaths of 37‑year‑old Renée Good, a mother of three, and 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital — both killed in separate federal immigration enforcement shootings.
“Everyone’s impacted by stuff differently,” Mazzulla said.
“Everyone has a way to use their platform differently. So I think the most important thing with that is actually the opposite: I’d rather have those conversations with them, or let them feel any way that they can impact the platform that they have — which is way more important than basketball. We have a great group of guys that do that in different ways; some do it in the public, some do it in the private. And I think you just allow for people to do that. That’s my favorite thing, being around them as men — whether they’re fathers, husbands, or just guys that have impact on people. That’s the most important thing you can do.”
The killings of Good and Pretti have triggered outrage nationwide, with protests erupting across the country in response to the increasingly aggressive actions of federal agents — not police officers. Forced stops demanding identification and proof of citizenship, along with escalated use of force, have become more and more common, exposing millions of Americans to the risks posed by immigration enforcement.
Former Celtics Isaiah Thomas and Guerschon Yabusele spoke out on social media after videos of Pretti’s death began circulating Saturday. The widely shared footage drew responses from Thomas, a father of three, and Yabusele, who welcomed his first child last year. Though from very different backgrounds — Thomas, a Tacoma, Washington native, and Yabusele, a Frenchman who first arrived in the United States in 2016 — both expressed similar sentiments on their respective platforms.
The National Basketball Players Association released a statement of solidarity on Sunday, standing by those in Minnesota affected by the ongoing violence that’s plagued the entire state.
“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the statement reads. “The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”
Mazzulla, a devout Catholic, understands the weight of today’s political climate. The effects aren’t limited to NBA fans — players, too, feel the impact of a rapidly changing American landscape. They recognize the challenges fans face and the responsibility they carry in using their voices to speak for those who don’t have one.
The NBA has long been at the forefront of speaking out against social injustices — a role Celtics leader Jaylen Brown, Vice President of the NBPA, has embraced. Brown has admired the pioneering work of basketball legend Bill Russell, who, alongside Muhammad Ali and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led the charge for civil rights activism in the 1960s.
Brown has never feared the aftermath of speaking his mind, regardless of the topic of discussion.
For Mazzulla, creating an environment where players feel comfortable expressing their opinions takes priority. It’s a conversation many are unwilling to have — civilly or in good faith — but one Mazzulla approaches with an open mind and open ears. He doesn’t want anyone in Boston’s locker room to feel censored or unable to speak up, and he’s willing to meet whatever that responsibility demands to ensure players can use their voices where they believe it matters most.
“I think it’s more about listening and allowing people to be who they are, and having a judgment-free zone — looking at people as more than just basketball players. How can I help you with your platform? How can I be there for you? How can I give you the space to be who you are?” Mazzulla said. “That’s one of my favorite things to do — to allow for that. Everyone’s different. It’s a balance. I think it’s more of that, and the other thing is making sure they see the consistency in how I try to live and carry out the platform and opportunity that I have. I think you just kind of keep it to that.”