Celtics
“I obviously want to be fully healthy as long as we can, but the times that we’re not is preparing us for the unknowns of the rest of the season and the playoffs.”
The Celtics have been tested in December.
Between playing many games over different weeks and seeing injuries to its starting five, Boston has looked to the bench for support a lot this month.
In December alone, Jayson Tatum has dealt with a knee issue, Derrick White has popped up on the injury report with a hamstring ailment, while Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are on the mend from shoulder and ankle injuries, respectively. Holiday and Porzingis both missed Friday’s important clash against the Pacers.
Before the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke at length about the importance of the Celtics’ “bench identity” and how that unit need to be ready when their name is inevitably called.
“I think that’s a huge key,” Mazzulla said, “is developing not the bench, but the bench identity to where being ready to play at any time, being ready versus a certain matchup, you get into a certain situation where one guy may be a perfect fit for a playoff series, and the next day it may be somebody completely different.”
Boston’s bench is one of its strong suits, which played a role in its championship-winning season earlier this year. Payton Pritchard, for example, has a chance of being named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. Having played in every game this season entering Friday and averaging 15.3 points per game with a 46.7 field goal percentage, there’s no question that he would be a starter on most other teams in the league.
Neemias Queta is another player who’s seen more minutes off the bench this season than last and has made an impact at times. Sam Hauser also continues to be a go-to bench player for Mazzulla this season, who started on Friday in place of Holiday.
Al Horford has played off the bench since the team’s addition of Porzingis last summer. He’s unsurprisingly excelled in that role across 23 contests this season, averaging nine points and one block per game.
With Porzingis sidelined once more, Horford will continue see more time on the court.
Mazzulla went on to explain that while their bench is a strength now, in the first half of the season, he aspires that the group continues to improve in later months.
“Building the habits and the things that go into developing different guys for different identities I think is really important over the course of a season because you don’t get to pick your part, you don’t get to pick your matchup, you don’t get to pick the strengths and weaknesses of who your opponent is, and you have to be ready to face those on,” Mazzulla said. “I enjoy those moments. I obviously want to be fully healthy as long as we can, but the times that we’re not is preparing us for the unknowns of the rest of the season and the playoffs.”
As the Celtics look to snap their first two-game losing streak of the 2024-25 season on Friday, Mazzulla certainly hopes his team’s “bench identity” isn’t lost, especially as the new year approaches.
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With injuries to multiple starters, including All-Star Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, the Boston Celtics have been forced to rely on their bench players to step up and fill the void. Interim head coach Joe Mazzulla has been impressed with how the bench unit has embraced their roles and shown resilience in the face of adversity.
Mazzulla highlighted the team’s ‘bench identity’ in a recent press conference, praising the depth and versatility of the reserves. Players like Payton Pritchard, Grant Williams, and Romeo Langford have all played crucial roles in keeping the Celtics competitive during this challenging stretch.
Despite the setbacks, Mazzulla remains optimistic about the team’s ability to weather the storm and continue to compete at a high level. He emphasized the importance of staying focused and staying true to their identity as a team that values hard work, grit, and determination.
As the Celtics look to navigate through this difficult period, Mazzulla’s emphasis on the ‘bench identity’ will be key in keeping the team united and motivated. With the support of their depth players, the Celtics are confident that they can overcome their injuries and emerge stronger on the other side.
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