The Boston Celtics face a challenging 2025/26 season after star player Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles tendon, ruling him out for most, if not all, of the year. The injury has sparked a heated debate about the team‘s future, with columnist Dan Shaughnessy criticizing head coach Joe Mazzulla while urging the Celtics to remain competitive despite the setback.

Shaughnessy Criticizes Mazzulla’s Leadership After Playoff Defeat

Last season’s playoffs ended bitterly for Celtics fans, not only because the New York Knicks eliminated their team but also due to Tatum’s serious injury. The Celtics had sizeable leads in the first two games of their series against the Knicks, holding 20-point advantages at home, only to lose both games and ultimately the series. This collapse drew sharp criticism toward Joe Mazzulla, the team’s 37-year-old head coach.

Dan Shaughnessy, writing for the Boston Globe, expressed his disappointment with Mazzulla’s handling of the series, particularly questioning the coach’s stubborn reliance on three-point shooting.

“They lost to the Knicks in the Conference semifinals. Knicks of all people, who were really not a legitimate contender. Maybe they are now, but they weren’t last year,”

Shaughnessy said during an appearance on NBA Radio.

“Boston had 20 points leads in the first two games at home, and lost both of them. It’s impossible. That’s not a good feeling.”

He pinpointed Boston’s overdependence on three-pointers as a major flaw, emphasizing that this strategic choice ultimately contributed to their downfall.

“There’s too much reliance on the 3s in my view, and the view of a lot of the fans. Particularly the older fans. Joe is very stubborn they’ve stayed with it.”

Shaughnessy also suggested that losing Tatum might force Mazzulla to adjust his stubborn approach.

“Maybe that changes when you take Tatum out of the mix this year,”

he added, noting the absence of other key players like Holiday and Porzingis affects team dynamics.

“Holliday is out of the mix. Even Porzingis. They all like jacking them up. They made more than any team in history last year. But it sunk them in the end.”

Despite the harsh critique, Shaughnessy acknowledged the complexity of coaching decisions, particularly in light of Boston’s recent championship and Mazzulla’s contract extension.

“Joe is very stubborn…maybe that changes when you take [Jayson] Tatum out of the mix.”

“He just got the contract extension so he’s here. And I think Tatum likes him, but Tatum’s not going to be around very much this year. We’ll see where it goes but he’s a little bit behind the 8-ball, even with the new deal.”

Celtics Maintain Confidence in Mazzulla Despite Criticism

After claiming the 2024 NBA title, the Celtics recently secured Joe Mazzulla with a multi-year contract extension, signaling strong confidence from the team’s ownership. Despite the frustrations surrounding last season‘s playoff exit and concerns over coaching decisions, the organization believes Mazzulla remains the right leader to navigate the team through this difficult period.

It is important to note that not all blame for the Knicks series defeat lies with Mazzulla. The unpredictability of playoff basketball and a team’s chemistry can have a significant impact, as seen with the Knicks themselves experiencing ups and downs in prior series.

Boston’s ability to respond after losing Tatum will be closely watched. The team faces the challenge of adjusting their strategy without their superstar and overcoming the defensive and offensive gaps his injury creates. Still, with one of the NBA’s most promising coaches at the helm, the Celtics aim to stay competitive and avoid a full rebuild.