The Boston Celtics nearly lost to the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden this Sunday afternoon, with a late surge by James Harden and the Clippers nearly stealing a road victory banged-up Los Angeles desperately needed. But Jaylen Brown and the Celtics managed to hold off the charge to improve to 7-7 so far this season with the win.
Fouls in particular — Los Angeles got to the free throw line 30 times to Boston’s 17 — played a role in the Clippers comeback, but Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla suggested his team needs to remain true to their identity to fend off such late-game surges by players who are known to be adept at drawing fouls. “It’s situational,” said Mazzulla. “We forced 14 turnovers to our 6, and we got 15 more shots than they did, so it’s situational.”
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“Obviously, you don’t want to give up a flagrant foul at the end of the game,” he added. “You don’t want to follow a 3-point shooter.”
Nov 16, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
“But that’s easier said than done,” continued the Celtics coach. “He’s (James Harden) one of the best foul creators in the league.”
“I mean regardless there’s always going to be 4, 5 situational fouls, but at the end of the day, we got 15 more shots, (and) forced 14 turnovers for 27 points, so we just have to continue to play the way that we play, and at the same time have good situational execution.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Despite close win vs. Clippers, Mazzulla wants Celtics to play the same
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