JOE MAZZULA SENDS MESSAGE IN BIZARRE PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER CELTICS LOSS TO PACERS

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, in Indianapolis, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)AP

A screen set by Pacers star Pascal Siakam helped him get the matchup he wanted leading up to his game-winning jumper against the Celtics Monday night. That play clearly was on Joe Mazzulla’s mind as he met with reporters in Indiana following Boston’s 98-96 loss to the Pacers.

The Celtics coach answered all six questions asked to him in the 44-second press conference, responding to each with the two words ‘illegal screen’ despite many questions having nothing to do with that sequence.

The Celtics have tried to send a message to officials after several games recently for a lack of foul calls, with All-Star Jaylen Brown getting fined $35,000 on Monday for his comments after the Spurs loss on Saturday. Mazzulla took a concise route to deliver his message on Monday night that likely won’t draw a fine from the league but certainly will bring attention to the situation.

The likely sequence in question occurred in a 96-96 tie game with 28 seconds remaining on the clock. Andrew Nembhard dribbled out much of the shot clock at the top of the key before getting a screen from Pascal Siakam that forced the smaller Derrick White to switch onto him. Siakam was able to shake White off him with a spin move at the free throw line and banked in a shot to give the Pacers the eventual game-winning basket.

Siakam appeared to be in good position on the screen but stuck out his backside abruptly when Nembhard used the screen, creating separation on White. This is likely the sequence that led to Mazzulla’s dismay and will be addressed in the NBA’s last two-minute report on Tuesday.

The Celtics had a chance for the win after the sequence but Derrick White missed a potential game-winning 3-point shot as time expired. Boston has now lost two straight games overall. They will look to bounce back on Thursday night in Miami for their second game of a four-game road trip.

- Brian Robb