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[Saba Sports News] The NBA announced on Saturday that the Boston Celtics head coach has been fined for “aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language” toward a referee. The incident took place after the Celtics’ 117-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
Following the final buzzer, Mazzulla was seen angrily shouting and pointing at referee Justin Van Duyne, requiring his assistants to step in and restrain him. During the game, Van Duyne had already issued a technical foul to Mazzulla in the fourth quarter for arguing a call and another to Celtics star Jaylen Brown for a separate altercation.
After the game, Mazzulla jokingly claimed he was just wishing Van Duyne “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” but the NBA didn’t find the humor in it and handed down the hefty fine.
Known for his fiery demeanor, the 36-year-old Mazzulla has built a reputation as one of the league’s more confrontational coaches. This time, Van Duyne was the unfortunate recipient of his frustration.