Celtics coach and star spar together in offseason boxing session

The Boston Celtics shared a video of head coach Joe Mazzulla and forward Jayson Tatum performing a boxing routine at the organization’s practice complex during the offseason. Known for his unorthodox approach, Mazzulla often treats basketball preparation like a battle, incorporating drills such as laps and war-like noises. This boxing session reflects his belief that mental toughness can be reinforced through martial-arts style workouts, even if the direct impact on on-court performance remains uncertain.

The franchise has a history of embracing atypical conditioning, with teammate Jaylen Brown previously using intense pool exercises. Mazzulla’s tenure has yielded a 72.6% winning percentage across 328 regular-season games, underscoring the effectiveness of his broader coaching philosophy. The video underscores the collaborative culture between staff and players in Boston’s championship-aspiring environment.