Joe Mazzulla Reaches Back-to-Back Conference Finals as Celtics HC

Originally posted on WV Sports Now | By Ethan Bock | Last updated 5/16/24

Joe Mazzulla is now 2-for-2 during his NBA head coaching career in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, reaching their third-straight conference finals series and their second with Mazzulla.

Last season, Mazzulla and the Celtics lost to the 8-seed Miami Heat group that caught fire at the right time. Now, Boston will wait for their future opponent to play for an NBA Finals berth between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. There’s a chance that WVU fans could see Mazzulla vs. Deuce McBride in the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Tonight you saw his gift."

Joe Mazzulla talks the energy and emotion from Al Horford tonight pic.twitter.com/dGKf1HtWME

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 16, 2024

Mazzulla took over the interim duties for Ime Udoka before the 2022-2023 season, leading the Celtics to 57 wins during his rookie season. Mazzulla also coached in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

Mazzulla, who played guard at West Virginia from 2006-11, has worked his way up the coaching ladder over the past decade. Mazzulla began pursuing a coaching career following his graduation from West Virginia. Following coaching stints at Glenville State and Fairmont State, the former Mountaineer was hired as an assistant of the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s G-League team. Mazzulla went back to Fairmont State in 2017 to serve as the head coach of the Fighting Falcons.

During his WVU days, Joe Mazzulla was most known for his 17-point performance in the 2010 Elite Eight against Kentucky. Mazzulla stepped in for an injured Truck Bryant, helping the Mountaineers reach their first Final Four since 1959. Mazzulla played 145 career games at West Virginia.

This article first appeared on WV Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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