(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have cruised past the competition for the majority of this season.
After all, the Celtics have an incredibly talented roster with multiple NBA All-Star-caliber players.
Sure, Jayson Tatum is viewed as the clear-cut best player on the team, but the likes of Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White are equally important for the organization.
Apart from that, the Celtics also have a seasoned veteran in Al Horford to be a locker room leader.
However, the Celtics played without three key players in their recent matchup against the Utah Jazz.
Despite being short-handed, the Celtics registered a comfortable 123-107 win over the Jazz.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla explained how the Celtics have found success even without key players like Brown, Porzingis, and Horford on the court, via Duane Rankin.
“Have an environment in our locker room and culture of it doesn’t matter who is in, guys are ready to play,” Mazzulla said.
“Last couple of games, everybody is stepping up.”
Joe Mazzulla after Boston win at Utah w/o Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford.
“Have an environment in our locker room and culture of it doesn’t matter who is in, guys are ready to play.”#Suns at #Celtics Thursday. pic.twitter.com/3T8rVoiWhV
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 13, 2024
Mazzulla claims the Celtics have nurtured an excellent environment in the locker room.
It has groomed every player on the roster to always stay ready when their number is called.
If a team has multiple players who can step up in the absence of the usual stars, it certainly makes life easy for a head coach.
Speaking of the Celtics vs. Jazz game, the team had six players in double-digit scoring.
Of course, Tatum was the star of the show with 38 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in 34 minutes of playing time.
Following the impressive win, the Celtics remain the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
They have a 51-14 record and currently the only team in the NBA to have more than 50 wins this season.
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