Joe Mazzulla Puts Finishing Touches on Historic Rookie Regular Season

What a year and what a start to a coaching career for Joe Mazzulla.

Everyone in the NBA knew that Joe Mazzulla would be a head coach at some point. It was just a matter of when. However, Mazzulla's opportunity may have come slightly earlier than anticipated following Boston's decision to part ways with Ime Udoka.

Despite most believing Mazzulla wasn't quite ready to be the team's full-time head coach, he proved throughout the season that he was more than ready. He guided the team to a 57-25 record, marking the second-most wins by a rookie head coach in Celtics history. Bill Russell holds the record with 60 wins in the 1966-67 season.

Second-most wins ever by a Celtics rookie head coach ☘️ pic.twitter.com/lvVJP8FoEY

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 9, 2023

Boston finishes the season second in the Eastern Conference standings and will play the winner of the No. 7 seed of the Play-In Tournament. The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks will go at it on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN with the winner clinching the seven seed and taking on Mazzulla's Celtics.

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