Celtics Fans Keep Showing Up, and Joe Mazzulla’s Taking Notice
The Boston Celtics are 27 games into the season, and one thing’s been clear from the jump - TD Garden hasn’t lost a step. Even as the team navigates a retooled roster and the growing pains that come with it, the energy inside the building has been nothing short of electric. And head coach Joe Mazzulla is making sure the fans know it’s not going unnoticed.
Following Boston’s 129-116 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night, Mazzulla took a moment during his postgame press conference to acknowledge the unwavering support from Celtics Nation.
“I would say that even when we were 0-3, or whatever the external expectations were, it was always humbling and grateful when everyone showed up to the Garden,” Mazzulla said. “And I think we were 0-3, 3-3, 5-6. Whatever the case was, I always turned to Sam Cassell, and I’m like, ‘Man, this place is still packed.’”
That early-season stretch could’ve easily dampened the mood around the team, especially with a roster in transition. But the fans kept showing up, and Mazzulla knows exactly what that means.
“People just appreciate really good basketball, and I think that’s what makes one of the jobs so special, being here,” he continued. “You always take a chance because of that.
There’s a responsibility because of that. So I want to say thanks for that.
And then again, I also have the fact that I couldn’t hear in the timeout.”
That last part? Not an exaggeration. The Garden was loud enough to drown out a timeout huddle - and that’s during a regular season game in December.
A Season of Transition, A Fanbase That’s Locked In
Coming into the 2025-26 season, Celtics fans knew they were heading into unfamiliar territory. Brad Stevens spent the offseason reshaping the roster with an eye toward the future. The front office trimmed luxury tax costs and leaned into youth, building a team that’s quicker, more athletic, and still anchored by the All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The result? A team that’s still finding its identity but already showing flashes of serious potential.
Boston has racked up 16 wins in its first 27 games, good enough for fourth in the Eastern Conference. They’re only three games back of the second-seeded New York Knicks - a position few would’ve predicted when the season tipped off.
And they’ve done it with Tatum sidelined, recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Without their franchise cornerstone, the Celtics have leaned on their depth, their defense, and a next-man-up mentality that’s starting to pay off.
The Garden Effect
What’s happening in Boston right now isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about a fanbase that’s bought in - not just to the stars, but to the process.
The younger players are getting real minutes and real support. And that kind of environment matters.
It builds confidence. It builds chemistry.
It builds culture.
Mazzulla’s comments weren’t just lip service - they reflected a coach who understands the relationship between a team and its city. When you’re 0-3 and the seats are still full, that tells you everything you need to know about the expectations and the passion in Boston.
Next Up: Raptors on the Second Night of a Back-to-Back
The Celtics don’t get much time to soak in Friday’s win. They’re back at it on Saturday night, taking on the Toronto Raptors in the second leg of a back-to-back. It’s another chance for the young core to step up, another opportunity to keep pace in a crowded East - and another night where TD Garden will almost certainly be rocking.
Because in Boston, it doesn’t matter if you’re rebuilding, reloading, or running it back. If there’s a game to be played, the fans will be there. And as Joe Mazzulla reminded us, that’s what makes this job - and this city - something special.