Joe Mazzulla Reveals Favorite Thing About Celtics’ New-Look Roster

The Boston Celtics have an unusual roster this year, especially compared to the last two seasons. After bringing back virtually their entire 2024 championship-winning roster last season, the Celtics blew it up over the summer, saying goodbye to Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Luke Kornet and others.

Boston replaced them with mostly younger, less proven players — guys like Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, Hugo Gonzalez and Josh Minott. The Celtics also gave bigger roles to part-time players like Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh.

It was a risky strategy, but it’s paid off wonderfully. Boston’s new-look roster has smashed expectations this season, going 30-18 with the NBA’s second-best net rating entering play on Sunday despite being without Jayson Tatum all year.

Prior to Sunday’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Joe Mazzulla revealed what he loves about this season’s Celtics and their new identity.

Joe Mazzulla:

“The best thing about this roster is each guy's ability to impact winning in different ways … Every guy on this roster has helped us win a game, possessions, end of quarters, starter quarters. And to me, that's just the most important thing.” pic.twitter.com/Sg6X89v1gC

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) February 1, 2026

“The best thing about this roster is each guy’s ability to impact winning in different ways,” Mazzulla told reporters during his pregame press conference. “Every guy on this roster has helped us win a game, possessions, end of quarters, start of quarters. And to me, that’s just the most important thing.”

Mazzulla’s right. While Boston lacks star power without Tatum, it still has plenty of depth with guys who can contribute quality minutes and make an impact on both ends of the floor. Everyone is useful, valuable and can do something to help the team win.

The bench in particular has been surprisingly good this year, keeping the Celtics in games and taking a lot of the pressure off Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.

Boston is a true team in that sense. It has the right mix of championship-winning veterans and young, hungry role players looking to prove themselves. Regardless of their role or status, everyone plays hard and gives maximum effort, helping the Celtics become more than the sum of their parts.