Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Unveils Backstory Of Unique ‘World Tour’ Shirt

After the Boston Celtics landed in Abu Dhabi and prepared to begin preseason play against the Denver Nuggets, head coach Joe Mazzulla was spotted sporting a one-of-a-kind customized t-shirt made specifically to commemorate the reigning champions and their upcoming journey this season.

Mazzulla shared the story behind the “2024-25 World Tour” Celtics shirt, reminiscent of an old-school t-shirt found at a Led Zeppelin concert concession stand in the 1960s — a project that came to life courtesy of Celtics director of performance Art Horne.

“Art Horne made those for us,” Mazzulla told NBC Sports Boston. “I think it’s a really cool idea so we passed them out to begin the year. He does a really great job of just tying into the season so that was really cool. Art works in the offseason on just some different messaging things throughout there so he does a great job with that and he kind of brought that, maybe two weeks ago. It’s pretty cool. It’s fun. Art did a great job.”

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The back of the shirt lists each city the Celtics will visit, including Abu Dhabi, throughout the regular season. On the front side, a brightly-colored collage of Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard brings the unintentional fashion statement to a whole new level. It quickly became the eye-grabber following Boston’s 13-hour flight to the Middle East on Wednesday, and for now, isn’t available for purchase from the public.

The Celtics, after three-plus-months off offseason preparation, Paris Olympic controversy, ownership uncertainty and outside doubters ready to chirp througout another 82-game stretch, will return to action to face the Nuggets on Friday — at 12 p.m. ET — and Sunday — at 10 a.m. — before returning home.