Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Reflects On Conversation With Bill Russell’s Daughter

The Celtics secured a convincing 107-79 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, but the game itself was just a smaller slice of the day’s events.

Sunday marked the beginning of Black History Month and the launch of a new NBA event. The matchup between the Celtics and Bucks marked the first-ever Pioneers Classic, showcasing the league’s dedication to honoring the first African American players to step onto an NBA court: Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, Chuck Cooper and Earl Lloyd.

Boston played a crucial role in integrating African American players into the NBA during the 1950s, thanks to the efforts of head coach Red Auerbach. A key figure in this movement was Celtics star center Bill Russell.

Beautiful moment here at TD Garden as the Celtics take a moment to honor Bill Russell and Red Auerbach on Pioneers Day

Bill Russell’s daughter, Karen, and Red Auerbach’s granddaughter, Julie, were both recognized on the court pic.twitter.com/sZHYl3Xr2D

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) February 1, 2026

Russell sadly passed away in 2022, but his daughter, Karen was at the TD Garden on Sunday, where she spoke with head coach Joe Mazzulla.

“I mean, I think just from a perspective standpoint, I thought we kind of talked about that before, and then I think someone asked a question at pre-game,” Mazzulla said on Sunday, about his conversation with Russell’s daughter. “We have history, we are fortunate working for the Celtics. We just have history around us all the time, you know. I mean, just in so many different ways. And it’s always cool to have moments like that, because it shows we talked about this.

“This job wouldn’t be what it was, and this team wouldn’t be what it was if the people before you didn’t leave it better than they found it. So, you have a responsibility to do the same. So, you know, it’s a special day for a lot of reasons. And, I think it just puts things in perspective about what it means to be a Celtic and what it means when you have a platform and taking advantage of that.”

Joe Mazzulla on the first NBA Pioneers Classic and speaking to Bill Russell’s daughter and seeing Satch Sanders at TD Garden today:

“We just have history around us all the time.” pic.twitter.com/Z8f1Trp0TX

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) February 1, 2026

Russell played 13 seasons for the Celtics and clinched 11 NBA championships. Although Russell wasn’t among the NBA’s highlighted pioneer players announced on Feb. 1, he is undoubtedly one of the most significant figures, not just as an athlete during the Civil Rights Movement.