Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to have knee surgery

Field Level Media|published: Tue 18th June, 12:47 2024

Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla holds up the trophy as he celebrates after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

After coaching the Boston Celtics to their 18th NBA championship on Monday night, coach Joe Mazzulla revealed that will he undergo knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

Mazzulla, who at 35 became the youngest coach to win an NBA title since Celtics legend Bill Russell at age 34 in 1968, suffered the injury in March.

"Hey, guess what? I gotta have knee surgery, I tore my meniscus in March after we lost to Atlanta," Mazzulla told reporters after Boston's 106-88 victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals finished off the Dallas Mavericks. "So first thing I gotta do is get back on the mats. I'm going to be out for a little while. I've been working through it since March."

Given Mazzulla's background in mixed martial arts, which includes practicing jiu-jitsu, it's easier to understand why he would coach on a torn meniscus. He also showed the Celtics UFC fights as motivation during their title run.

Mazzulla isn't the only member of the Celtics' organization who will be rehabbing after surgery.

Center Kristaps Porzingis will have a procedure on his left leg after suffering an injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Porzingis missed Games 3 and 4 before playing 16 minutes in the Game 5 clincher.

--Field Level Media