Mazzulla Repeats ‘Illegal Screen’ After Celtics Loss to Pacers
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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered the same two-word answer six times after Monday night’s 98-96 defeat to the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis: “Illegal screen.”
Mazzulla’s brief responses came during his post-game news conference on Jan. 13, 2026, when reporters questioned him about the closing moments of the contest. Each inquiry—ranging from what happened on the final possessions to whether he had anything else to add—received the identical reply.
The coach’s frustration appeared to center on a sequence in the final seconds. With the score tied, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam set a screen near the top of the three-point arc that caused Boston guard Derrick White to stumble. Siakam then took a return pass from Andrew Nembhard, pump-faked, and knocked down a leaning jumper from just inside the foul line with 6.1 seconds left, putting Indiana ahead for good.
The loss continued a tense stretch between the Celtics and NBA officials. Earlier Monday, the league fined Boston star Jaylen Brown $35,000 for criticizing officiating after Saturday’s setback against the San Antonio Spurs.
Source: ESPN
