Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is thankful Jazz coach Will Hardy gave his brother Justin a shot as a video coordinator for Utah this season.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is thankful Jazz coach Will Hardy gave his brother Justin a shot as a video coordinator for Utah this season.Rio Giancarlo/Getty
SACRAMENTO — When the Celtics faced the Jazz on March 10, coach Joe Mazzulla was asked for his thoughts about his brother Justin, who is a video coordinator for Utah this season. Mazzulla brushed off the inquiry, saying simply that his brother works for the other team.
He provided a slightly more expansive answer after the game. He said Justin is a hard worker, that he is proud of him, and that he is thankful that Jazz coach Will Hardy gave him a chance.
Hardy and Joe Mazzulla were Celtics assistants during the 2021-22 season that ended with an NBA Finals loss to the Warriors, so Hardy is quite familiar with Mazzulla’s unique personality and meticulous approach. He said that Justin Mazzulla appears to have similar traits.
“There’s some similarities in terms of their crazy work ethic and toughness,” Hardy said, “so I do see some of those things that resemble how Joe approaches it.”
Hardy said that despite the Boston connection with Joe Mazzulla, he did not get to know Justin until he interviewed with the Jazz last year and was hired as an assistant coach with the team’s G League affiliate. That team is also based in Salt Lake City, so there is extra synergy between the two squads.
“I actually got to spend time around Justin and just watch him work,” Hardy said. “He’s a really, really bright young coach and he works incredibly hard.”
Hardy said he and Joe Mazzulla have stayed in touch since their season together, and he occasionally shares updates about how Mazzulla’s younger brother is faring.
“It bothers Joe from time to time when I say, ‘Hey, Justin is doing really well. Like, I know you don’t want to hear this, but, like, he really is doing a great job,’ ” Hardy said, smiling. “But that’s just how they are. They’re both tough, hard-nosed. They don’t want anything given to them. They want to do the hard work.
“They almost prefer that it’s ugly at times. But, yeah, Justin is definitely a Mazzulla.”
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is embraced by his father, Terry, after Sunday's win over the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is embraced by his father, Terry, after Sunday's win over the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.Rio Giancarlo/Getty
Lots of love for Oregon’s own
There were times during the Celtics’ 129-116 win over the Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday when Boston point guard Payton Pritchard received louder ovations than the home team he was playing against.
But the cheers were logical. In addition to the fact that the Celtics have a strong fan base in the area, Pritchard is a local hero. He led West Linn High to four consecutive Oregon state championships, was a three-time state player of the year, and was a four-year starter at Oregon, where he was named a first-team All-American as a senior.
Welcome to the Pritching Hour 😤 pic.twitter.com/7wSQ0L8k66
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 23, 2025
“I’ve had a lot of success in this state,” Pritchard said. “I felt like I left my mark in high school and at Oregon doing what I did and winning a lot there. So I’ve tried to do a lot just in general for Oregon.
“It’s definitely home, and I’m appreciative of the support I get.”
Pritchard, who started for the first time all season Sunday, dealt with early foul trouble but finished with 16 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
Celtics forward Sam Hauser has been scorching from 3-point range over the last seven games.
Celtics forward Sam Hauser has been scorching from 3-point range over the last seven games.Rio Giancarlo/Getty
Hauser on target
Celtics forward Sam Hauser drained 8 of 10 3-pointers against Portland and entered Monday’s game against the Kings 29 for 58 (50 percent) from the 3-point line over his last seven games.
“Sometimes you get the same exact looks and they don’t go in, and sometimes you go in a stretch and get the same looks again and they go in,” Hauser said. “But I’m in a good rhythm and flow out there, having my teammates trust me, and throwing me the ball when I’m open.”
Haus Money ALL day 💸 pic.twitter.com/xoMvsin4oK
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 23, 2025
Mazzulla said he was pleased to see Hauser step into such a big role on offense with several starters out.
“But to me, it’s his consistency in all the other stuff,” Mazzulla said, “whether it’s his defense, his screening, his rebounding. His consistency and confidence are the two most important things. We need him to play at a high level.”
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.