Joe Mazzulla will step aside for assistant coaches during the Boston Celtics’ preseason opener in Cleveland, providing staff members with head-coaching experience.
When the Boston Celtics take the floor in Cleveland on Thursday night, the seat usually occupied by Joe Mazzulla will be empty. The head coach announced he is stepping back from bench duties for the team’s preseason opener, delegating lead responsibilities to two of his assistants.
Tony Dobbins will manage the first half of the game. while DJ MacLeay is set to take the reins for the second half. For a franchise often focused on rigid championship preparation. the move serves as a tactical pivot. shifting the focus from results to the professional development of the coaching staff.
Mazzulla plans to observe the contest from the back of the arena alongside players not in the rotation and the video staff. “I’ll stay quiet,” Mazzulla said. “It’s always interesting to go back to looking at coordinators and seeing the game from a different perspective. It’s just as much for me as it is them. Once you see the game from a different perspective, but also giving those guys an opportunity.”.
The selection of Dobbins and MacLeay was rooted in institutional tenure. Dobbins has served as an assistant in Boston since 2020, making him the longest-tenured member of the staff. MacLeay, who joined the organization in 2022, rounds out the pair for the Cleveland matchup.
The delegation of authority will continue throughout the preseason. While Mazzulla intends to return to his standard head-coaching role for home games on Saturday against Philadelphia and October 14 against Charlotte. assistant coach Sam Cassell is slated to lead the team during the preseason finale against the 76ers on October 16.
For Mazzulla, the reshuffle is a clear acknowledgment of the talent surrounding him. “To me, that’s a huge testament to them and the work that they do,” he said. “Sometimes the only experience is being out there on the sidelines. They deserved it; they earned it. They’re great at what they do. I think we have one of the best staffs.”.
Boston Celtics Joe Mazzulla NBA preseason Tony Dobbins DJ MacLeay Sam Cassell