"Fighting in preseason, get him Quick": Fans react as angry Joe Mazzulla appears to cuss $162,500,000 Raptors star after taunt

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Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla stood a few feet away from Immanuel Quickley on Wednesday when the point guard celebrated a corner 3-pointer. As Quickley backpedaled past the Celtics bench, he motioned something to the seated players. Mazzulla reportedly said “Shut the f**k up” in response.

Fans reacted to the exchange that went viral on social media:

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“Fighting in preseason, get him Quick!!”

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@LegionHoops @ClutchPoints Fighting in preseason, get him Quick!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

One fan said:

@LegionHoops @ClutchPoints Love my coach!! 😂😂😭 cooked that front runner

Another fan added:

@LegionHoops @ClutchPoints Bro was 3-14. It was a coaching moment

One fan continued:

@LegionHoops @ClutchPoints this how u know the raptors are ass, they were celebrating a preseason game like it’s their finals😂

Another fan commented:

@LegionHoops @ClutchPoints Joe had enough

The play unfolded after Derrick White missed a layup. Scottie Barnes grabbed the rebound before whipping a pass to a streaking R.J. Barrett, who lured Boston’s defense. Once Anfernee Simons and Payton Pritchard shut the paint, Barrett sent the ball to Quickley, who made the uncontested triple.

Sam Cassell, Joe Mazzulla’s assistant coach, looked at Quickley but did not say anything. It was the Celtics’ head coach who did not let the point guard’s antics pass by without reacting.

The Boston Celtics forced the former New York Knicks playmaker to struggle. They limited him to 14 points behind 3-for-14 shooting, including 1-for-8 from deep. Half of Quickley’s points came from the free-throw line, where he made 7 of 8 attempts. The speedy point guard, who signed a five-year, $162.5 million contract in 2024, could not hold back a celebration.

Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics got the last laugh, though. Xavier Tillman hit the game-winning shot to push his team to a 110-108 win.


Joe Mazzulla expressed satisfaction in his team’s preseason win

Most teams don’t care about results in preseason games. Most coaches emphasize habit-building, fast-tracking chemistry and installing concepts as the focus during these exhibition games.

Joe Mazzulla had a different take when he talked to reporters after the game:

“So I don't care that it's a preseason game. The fact is, we won, and [Tillman] was a big part of that. He delivered, and we're gonna need him as we start the season."

The Toronto Raptors tied the game at 108 apiece after Jamison Battle stunned the Celtics crowd with a 32-footer. Following a Mazzulla timeout, the Celtics executed a play that resulted in Tillman making an 11-foot jumpshot.

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About the author

Michael Macasero

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

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