The Boston Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla has returned to the Celtics bench after incurring an eye injury. The 34-year-old coach was absent from two games as a result.
Mazzulla explained that he appears at regular, late-afternoon games at the Celtics’ TD Garden, where he got hit in the face on Tuesday prior to the Celtics’ 102-126 victory over the Houston Rockets.
His eyes were red and irritated as he spoke to the media prior to the game and ended up not coaching. He was diagnosed with corneal abrasions in both eyes and temporarily replaced by assistant coach Damon Stoudamire as a result.
“It just didn’t get much better,” Mazzulla revealed before the Celtics’ 123-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. I think in a situation like that I thought it was a good opportunity to trust and empower the staff and the guys.” He added that he did not want to be a distraction to his players.
With a 5-5 record in their last 10 games, the Celtics remain on top of the Eastern Conference standings. They have just two games over the second-placed Brooklyn Nets, who are currently on an 11-game winning streak.
