Morning Sports Update
“He was a hell of a principal.”
Joe Mazzulla during a Celtics game in March, 2026. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
March 11, 2026 | 10:19 AM
3 minutes to read
Joe Mazzulla’s take on Jaylen Brown getting ejected: During an anticipated NBA matchup on Tuesday between two powerhouses (the Celtics and Spurs), Jaylen Brown’s night unexpectedly ended early when he was ejected in the second quarter after being given two technical fouls in quick succession.
The ejection was controversial, both in the initial incident — Brown thought he had been fouled — and because the second technical was given to him not by crew chief Tyler Ford but by third official Suyash Mehta. It led to a protracted scene in which Brown did not immediately leave the court after he was dismissed.
After the game — which Boston lost to San Antonio — Brown was still upset (posting about it on social media). But he received support from head coach Joe Mazzulla, who offered a characteristically notable soundbite. Asked about the ejection, the Celtics coach made a thinly-veiled indirect reference.
“I just give a ton of credit to my high school principal. He had the balls to throw a student out. He didn’t leave it to the hall monitor,” said Mazzulla, in a nod to Mehta (as third official) being the one to dismiss Brown.
Asked a follow-up question, Mazzulla simply reiterated his original reference.
“He was a hell of a principal.”
On a more serious note, he expressed his full support for Brown.
“I understand completely where Jaylen was coming from, absolutely,” Mazzulla told reporters. “And I’ve got his back 100 percent. I think he was 100 percent right to be frustrated and do what he did.”
The Celtics have a quick turnaround, and will face the defending NBA champion Thunder on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Classic Joe Mazzulla when asked about Jaylen Brown’s ejection and that crew chief Tyler Ford did not assess the second technical to Brown, instead it was Suyash Mehta. #Celtics #Spurs. pic.twitter.com/MeSnIEhIGf
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) March 11, 2026
Trivia: Speaking of Joe Mazzulla’s high school (Bishop Hendricken in Rhode Island), he is actually not the only NBA head coach to have attended the school. Can you name the other championship-winning coach who attended the Warwick high school?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He became an NBA champion in 2023.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics lost to the Spurs 125-116 on Tuesday. Boston will play the Thunder on Thursday in Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m.
Also from Tuesday, the Bruins defeated the Kings 2-1 in overtime. Boston will face the Sharks at TD Garden on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Boston Fleet play the Goldeneyes in Vancouver at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, Boston Legacy FC take the field for the first time in an official game, debuting in NWSL league play at Gillette Stadium against defending champions Gotham FC at 12:30 p.m.
And on Sunday, the Revolution make their 2026 home opener against FC Cincinnati at 2:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Bam’s big night: Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored the second-most points in an NBA game on Tuesday, dropping a remarkable 83 points on the Wizards in a 150-129 win.
Italy stuns the United States: In one of the great upsets at the World Baseball Classic, Italy defeated the United States on Tuesday 8-6.
On this day: In 2005, the Celtics (led by Paul Pierce) defeated the defending champion Pistons in a wild 115-113 overtime matchup. Pierce dropped 38 points, adding 12 rebounds.
Elsewhere, future NHL player Brian Gionta led Boston College to a 3-2 win over UMass, while Holy Cross fought for its place in the NCAA Tournament (which they would fail to make). Bode Miller prepared to win an FIS World Cup title, and Curt Schilling doubted his chances of starting the Red Sox season opener (which he would miss).
Daily highlight: Charlie McAvoy scored an emphatic winner for the Bruins in overtime on Tuesday.
CHARLIE MCAVOY @ENERGIZER OVERTIME WINNER! 🐻
WHAT A GOAL, WHAT A CELLY! pic.twitter.com/TonyrGl1YZ
— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026
Trivia answer: Michael Malone
What’s Joe Mazzulla’s best soundbite?
