The Boston Celtics may have suffered a tough 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, but head coach Joe Mazzulla and guard Derrick White refused to let the gloom linger. On Monday, the duo brought serious star power — and plenty of laughs — to TD Garden for WWE’s Monday Night Raw.
As the cameras panned to ringside during the show at Boston’s TD Garden, commentators introduced Derrick White to the roaring home crowd. Moments later, the spotlight shifted to Mazzulla sitting right beside him. What happened next quickly went viral: the Celtics head coach launched into a playful, over-the-top “attack,” throwing mock punches to White’s back before dramatically working his way around the player’s neck, head, and shoulders in a committed, theatrical performance.
White took the whole bit in stride, smiling and laughing along as the TD Garden faithful erupted in cheers. In a surprising twist, Mazzulla’s ovation from the WWE crowd appeared even louder than White’s — a testament to just how beloved the no-nonsense coach has become in Boston.
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Both men were key members of the Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship team, and the Boston fans made sure to show their appreciation. The hilarious moment provided a much-needed dose of levity for a squad heading into a grueling final stretch of the regular season.
The Celtics fell to the Timberwolves after collapsing in the fourth quarter, where Minnesota outscored them 26-15. Boston now sits at 47-24, holding the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference — but just half a game ahead of the surging New York Knicks, who have rattled off six straight wins with 11 games remaining.
While any realistic shot at catching the Detroit Pistons (who lead by 4.5 games) for the top seed appears slim, the battle for the No. 2 seed carries major implications. Securing it would likely deliver home-court advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs, assuming the Pistons hold their position.
With one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league, the Celtics have no margin for error. Sunday’s fourth-quarter meltdown served as a reminder that every possession matters down the stretch.
For one unforgettable night, though, basketball pressure took a backseat. Mazzulla’s enthusiastic “fight” with his own player stole the show at Monday Night Raw, and the footage is already making the rounds across social media — giving Celtics fans something fun to smile about before the intensity ramps up again.