Leaked Joe Mazzulla video shows hilarious referee courtside interaction

Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics are entering the NBA playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, and are arguably the favorites to win the Eastern Conference after getting Jayson Tatum back from a torn Achilles tendon just 10 months after the injury.

Boston won their final game of the regular season in stunning fashion, resting most of their key rotation players and having just eight players suit up for the game. Led by Baylor Scheierman’s 30-point, seven-rebound, seven-assist performance, however, the Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic in their regular season finale, 113-108.

The game saw some drama, however, as Boston nearly blew their 16-point lead in the final minutes of the game before Luka Garza’s incredible three-point shot put the Celtics up for good. Orlando also outshot Boston from the free throw line, 30-22, which drew the ire of head coach Joe Mazzulla earlier in the game.

In a newly released video from the angle of a courtside fan, the Boston Celtics coach was seen defending his players with an interesting exchange with the referees.

Mazzulla called a timeout with 1:37 remaining in the fourth quarter to challenge the official’s call of a foul on Luka Garza. During the exchange, Mazzulla let the officials hear about it.

“Introduce yourself to the end of our bench and they can get a free throw,” Mazzulla said, pointing to his bench. “Introduce yourself to our other guys, they’re allowed to shoot free throws.”

“Yeah, they are, and we’ve been calling them!” NBA referee Aaron Smith replied to Mazzulla.

“How many free throws have we shot this quarter? Mazzulla responded. “How many?”

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla: "Introduce yourself to the end of our bench and they can get a free throw. Introduce yourself to our other guys, they're allowed to shoot free throws."

NBA ref Aaron Smith: "Yeah they are and we've been calling them."pic.twitter.com/TFTPPx2Bpt

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 14, 2026

At that point in the game, Mazzulla’s Celtics shot just two free throws in the fourth quarter — and 20 for the game — while Orlando had nine fourth quarter free throw attempts.

The Celtics ended up winning the game, securing the two-seed in the Eastern Conference while sending the Orlando Magic to a play-in contest against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Boston will host the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic 7-8 game this weekend, while the loser will be placed in a do-or-die game on Friday night against the winner of the Charlotte Hornets-Miami Heat 9-10 game.

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