Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazulla is being praised for telling one of his injured star players to get up off the floor. The incident happened during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs between Boston and Orlando on Sunday.
Jayson Tatum injured his wrist when he was fouled while trying to dunk the ball in the 4th quarter. But instead of getting up and walking to the bench, Tatum writhed and rolled on the floor.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was given a flagrant foul 1 for this play on Jayson Tatum. pic.twitter.com/g2xnIzkuTm
— ESPN (@espn) April 20, 2025
This angered Mazzulla who, like most fans, is tired of “soft” NBA players flopping on the floor.
Mazzulla told the team trainer not to go over to Tatum. Then Mazzulla yelled to Tatum: “GET UP!”
Celtics fans supported Mazzulla in the video comments.
One person wrote, “I actually have gained some respect for Mazzulla here. I get that Tatum hurt his wrist but that doesn’t require rolling around on the floor like a clown.”
Another person wrote: “Love it. Injuring your wrist doesn’t require rolling around on the floor.”
A third person commented: “About damn time. These grown men are superhuman in size and act like they’re running on 10 HP constantly.”
Jayson Tatum was down hurt and Joe Mazzulla told the trainer to not go out there and then yelled “get up” ?
(h/t @StoolGreenie) pic.twitter.com/6xJNgtB5tg
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 21, 2025
