Joe Mazzulla Embraces ‘Darkness’ In On-Brand Reaction To Celtics Game 3 Win

The Boston Celtics got back to their game with a dominant Game 3 win over the New York Knicks Saturday afternoon.

Boston found an elite shooting rhythm from three-point range, a sharp contrast from the extreme struggles that led to massive blown leads and a 2-0 series deficit. The pair of home losses put the Celtics on their heels in a rare form in this modern iteration of the last two seasons.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla knows the narrative changed with the Knicks ripping two games away at TD Garden earlier in the week. As he often does, Mazzulla searched for embraced motivations in the height of adversity, which showed up at Madison Square Garden in Game 3.

“There’s no expectations,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS’ Noa Dalzell. “We’re on a path of trying to go after greatness. There’s nothing to dictate the test that’s in front of you. … It’s been dark, but in a good way. You just gotta tap into your darkness. That’s it. You just gotta do it.”

The Celtics look to ride the momentum of Saturday’s win, keep themselves back on track and even the series in Game 4 on Monday night in New York.