Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzola and his staff will coach Giannis Team The 2023 All-Star Game next month in Salt Lake City, the NBA announced Monday night.
Mazzola and Boston’s coaching staff earned the honor when the Philadelphia 76ers saw their seven-win streak snapped by the Orlando Magic on Monday, ensuring the Celtics had the best record in the Eastern Conference through Sunday, the deadline.
Mazzola, who took over as Boston’s interim head coach just days before training camp began in late September after Emi Odoka was suspended for the season for violating team rules, became Boston’s third first-year head coach in his last 24 years coaching.
After reaching the NBA Finals last season, Boston has the best record in the NBA at 36-15 and is the only team to be ranked fifth in the offensive and defensive rankings (they finish fourth in each category).
Denver currently leads the Western Conference with a two-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies, and next Tuesday it plays at home against the New Orleans Pelicans, who have lost eight straight games.
If Denver wins that game, they will need to win just one of the three remaining games this week to clinch the honor for head coach Michael Malone, who previously led the All-Star team in 2019.