Mazzulla gives assistants chance to lead Celtics

For Joe Mazzulla, preseason is about more than preparing players. The Boston Celtics coach also sees it as an opportunity to help his staff develop for future leadership roles.

During the Celtics’ game against Cleveland, assistants Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay each coached one half, while Mazzulla stepped away from the bench. Both assistants interviewed for head coaching positions this summer, and Mazzulla said the experience was designed to support their growth. Rather than directing the team courtside, Mazzulla watched alongside inactive players and the video staff, using the different viewpoint to study aspects of the game he might normally miss.

The experiment proved successful, with Boston defeating the Cavaliers 124-113 despite several key absences. The Celtics maintained their trademark intensity, highlighted by strong work on the offensive glass. The initiative is not over yet. Sam Cassell is set to take charge of Boston’s final preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers.