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Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla wins ‘stupid’ NBA Coach of the Year award

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2 months ago

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BOSTON — Despite what Joe Mazzulla thinks of the Coach of the Year award, it now belongs to him.

Mazzulla, who has called the award “stupid,” won it Tuesday after leading the Boston Celtics to a 56-26 season and the Eastern Conference’s second seed. The NBA announced that Mazzulla beat out the other finalists for the award, Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff and San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson. Boston fell to the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs in a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season.

“Thank you to the Lord for the platform he has given me, and to my wife and family who support me on this journey,” Mazzulla said in a statement. “Thank you to our players who compete and give it everything they have each night. I am grateful for every member of the Celtics organization whose dedication impacts winning every day. This award belongs to our staff, who are there for the guys every day. Their relentless work ethic improves our team daily. This award should be named Staff of the Year.”

The Celtics earned the No. 2 seed in the East despite playing most of the season without injured star Jayson Tatum and losing nearly half their rotation during a cost-cutting summer. They still finished second in offensive efficiency, fourth in defensive efficiency and fourth in net rating while winning at least 50 games for the fifth straight season. Mazzulla has served as the head coach during four of those campaigns.

Mazzulla’s job this season changed in some ways. The Celtics needed to find several new contributors to replace the departed Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Much of their supporting cast had never played a regular role in the NBA. The team dropped its first three games, but quickly righted itself to re-establish its place near the top of the Eastern Conference.

“This is well-deserved recognition and a testament to both Joe and his staff,” Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens said in a statement. “With all of our unknowns entering the season, Joe did a fantastic job building and growing a team. He pours everything he has into competing at a high level while helping players find the best versions of themselves within the framework of a team. On top of all of that, Joe leads with an authentic care for the Celtics and everyone he works with — players, coaches, and staff.”

Several players, including Jaylen Brown, cited the importance of the coaching staff’s focus on teaching the game. After losing so many key veterans, Mazzulla recognized the need to speed up the learning process for his younger players. Otherwise, he understood, the loss of collective basketball IQ would have been too great for the Celtics to overcome.

“I think that was the number one point of emphasis this offseason,” Mazzulla said in December. “After losing all that experience that we had, all that continuity that we had, just creating a better learning environment throughout the building, creating a better learning environment in the film room, on the road.

“Just different ways to make sure that our language and system philosophies are getting across. At the same time, guys are able to retain information at a fast level so that we can get to the best version of ourselves as fast as we can to get better.”

Trying to give his team an edge, Mazzulla was hard on the Celtics from the start. During the preseason, he spent time yanking any player who gave up an offensive rebound. Throughout the regular season, he altered his rotation depending on who was producing more at the time. Luka Garza, one of the players whose role fluctuated the most, said Mazzulla’s approach to playing time helped the entire roster stay ready at all times.

“Knowing the opportunity’s coming, I think gives you a little bit more confidence versus a situation where you might lose hope or don’t think you’re going to play,” Garza said. “But by seeing how he coaches and how he’s gone to different guys in different situations, you know it’s coming.”

The Celtics were faced with another major adjustment when Tatum returned in early March. They handled it almost seamlessly, finishing the regular season 13-3 with Tatum in the lineup, before failing to close out a 3-1 lead in the first round of the playoffs. Tatum missed Boston’s 109-100 Game 7 loss with left knee stiffness after suffering the setback during Game 6.

The Celtics actually won fewer games than they did in any of Mazzulla’s first three seasons. Still, given the degree of difficulty, Mazzulla received widespread praise for keeping his team so competitive during the regular season. He typically tried to deflect such praise, but his players believe he deserved it.

“He doesn’t like the attention on him and making it about himself,” Derrick White said on April 20. “But obviously, he’s done an amazing job this year, and when he wins, it would definitely be well deserved.”

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How to watch Orioles vs. Rangers: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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5 minutes ago

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August 8, 2026

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The Texas Rangers take a three-game winning streak into a home matchup versus the Baltimore Orioles at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. Jacob deGrom (7-7, 3.96 ERA) will start for the Rangers, who are 58-58 this season and second in the AL West. Kyle Bradish (7-10, 3.79 ERA) is expected to start for the Orioles, who are 56-60 and fourth in the AL East.

How to watch Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers

Orioles vs. Rangers odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Rangers -154
  • Underdog Moneyline: Orioles +125
  • Total: 7.5
  • Total Over Odds: +100
  • Total Under Odds: -120

Injury reports

Rangers

Kyle Higashioka: 10 Day IL (Flexor tendon), Josh Jung: 10 Day IL (Calf), Jose Corniell: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Jack Leiter: 15 Day IL (Ankle), Jakob Junis: 15 Day IL (Groin), Danny Jansen: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Robert Garcia: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jalen Beeks: 60 Day IL (Back), Michael Helman: 60 Day IL (Hand), Carter Baumler: 60 Day IL (Ribs)

Orioles

Samuel Basallo: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Blaze Alexander: 10 Day IL (Hand), Zach Eflin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Felix Bautista: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Keegan Akin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Chris Bassitt: 60 Day IL (Back), Ryan Helsley: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ryan Mountcastle: 60 Day IL (Foot), Jordan Westburg: 60 Day IL (Ucl), Colin Selby: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)

Stats to know

  • Ezequiel Duran is hitting for a .274 BA, .328 OBP and .457 SLG with a 23.4% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate. His OPS is .785 and he has scored 51 runs. In 406 plate appearances, he has hit 13 home runs and driven in 63 runs. Duran has been crafty on the base paths, recording nine steals on 11 attempts.
  • In 465 plate appearances, Brandon Nimmo has hit 12 long balls, tallied 43 RBIs and scored 48 runs. He is batting .274/.342/.444 and has posted a 21.3% strikeout rate and an 8.2% walk rate. Nimmo has recorded six steals on seven attempts.
  • Pete Alonso has hit 23 home runs this season. He has also tallied 71 RBIs (14th in MLB) and has scored 68 runs. In 502 plate appearances, he has recorded a .247 BA, .341 OBP and .454 SLG with an 11.4% walk rate and a 24.9% strikeout rate.
  • In 522 plate appearances, Gunnar Henderson has hit 18 long balls, tallied 47 RBIs and scored 65 runs. He is batting .217/.297/.391 and has posted a 22.8% strikeout rate and an 8.6% walk rate. Henderson has recorded eight steals on 12 attempts.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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How to watch Storm vs. Fire: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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11 minutes ago

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August 8, 2026

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Dominique Malonga leads the Seattle Storm (6-27) into a matchup against the Portland Fire (12-19) after putting up 31 points in a 92-86 loss to the Liberty. The game is on Saturday, August 8, 2026, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV, FOX12+, CW Seattle, KOMO 4, and Amazon Prime Video.

How to watch Seattle Storm vs. Portland Fire

Seattle vs. Portland odds

  • Spread: Seattle -1.5 (-115), Portland +1.5 (-105)
  • Favorite Moneyline: Seattle -120
  • Underdog Moneyline: Portland +100
  • Total: 179.5
  • Total Over Odds: -110
  • Total Under Odds: -110

Injury reports

Storm

Katie Lou Samuelson: Questionable (Knee)

Fire

Sania Feagin: Out For Season (Knee),

Bridget Carleton: Probable (Foot),

Sarah Ashlee Barker: Out For Season (Knee),

Teja Oblak: Probable (Knee)

Stats to know

  • The 82.7 points per game the Storm record are 9.1 fewer points than the Fire give up (91.8).
  • Portland’s 86.5 points per game are just 1.8 fewer points than the 88.3 Seattle allows.
  • Flau’jae Johnson averages 13.9 points, 4.9 boards and 2.9 assists per contest, while shooting 39.2% from the field and 26.8% from downtown with 1.2 made treys per game.
  • Bridget Carleton puts up 14.3 points, 2.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Julio Aguilar, Ethan Miller, Steph Chambers / Getty Images

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How to watch Rays vs. Mariners: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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17 minutes ago

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August 8, 2026

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The Tampa Bay Rays carry a four-game win streak into a home matchup versus the Seattle Mariners, at 9:50 p.m. ET on Saturday. George Kirby (8-9, 3.76 ERA) will start for the Mariners, who are 56-61 this season and third in the AL West. Griffin Jax (6-9, 3.63 ERA) is expected to start for the Rays, who are 69-46 and first in the AL East.

How to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners

Rays vs. Mariners odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Mariners -118
  • Underdog Moneyline: Rays -102
  • Total: 7
  • Total Over Odds: -105
  • Total Under Odds: -115

Injury reports

Mariners

Luke Raley: 10 Day IL (Elbow), J.P. Crawford: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Matt Brash: 15 Day IL (Lat), Cole Wilcox: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Cooper Criswell: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Will Wilson: 60 Day IL (Thumb), Logan Evans: 60 Day IL (Arm), Carlos Vargas: 60 Day IL (Lat)

Rays

Ben Williamson: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Cole Sulser: 15 Day IL (Back), Shane McClanahan: 15 Day IL (Back), Jake Fraley: 60 Day IL (Groin), Manuel Rodriguez: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ryan Pepiot: 60 Day IL (Hip), Gavin Lux: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jon Heasley: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Edwin Uceta: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)

Stats to know

  • Randy Arozarena is hitting for a .282 BA, .376 OBP and .451 SLG with a 20.8% strikeout rate and a 9.7% walk rate. His OPS is .827 and he has scored 73 runs. In 466 plate appearances, he has hit 14 home runs and driven in 49 runs. Arozarena has been crafty on the base paths, recording 20 steals on 26 attempts.
  • In 458 plate appearances, Julio Rodriguez is hitting .260/.323/.429 with a .752 OPS and 15 steals on 18 attempts. He has hit 18 long balls, driven in 51 runs and scored 54 times.
  • Junior Caminero is hitting for a .283 BA, .375 OBP and .556 SLG with an 18.1% strikeout rate and a 12.5% walk rate. His OPS is .931, which ranks 5th in MLB, and he has scored 70 runs. In 502 plate appearances, he has hit 33 home runs (2nd in MLB) and driven in 71 runs (14th in MLB).
  • In 485 plate appearances, Yandy Diaz has slashed .296/.369/.452 this season. He has hit 15 long balls and driven in 64 runs with a strikeout rate of 14.8% and a walk rate of 8.9%. and has scored 61 runs.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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