Joe Mazzulla shares an offseason “twist” as Celtics’ preseason opener nears

The Celtics’ first preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers will feature a temporary change on the bench, with Joe Mazzulla not coaching during the opener. Instead, Boston’s assistant coaches Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay are set to coach the team in the exhibition, according to a report tied to the Celtics’ preparations on Thursday.

Mazzulla’s comments centered on a procedural wrinkle he said he does not normally use at shootaround, where coaches typically set the tone and communicate key reminders to players. The report describes Mazzulla as someone who does not typically speak at Celtics shootaround, and it points to his willingness to break that pattern as a small sign of how the preseason can operate differently than the regular season.

In the Celtics’ preseason environment, having assistants run the game is not unusual, but it does highlight how Boston manages teaching and evaluation. Preseason games are often treated as a practical classroom for lineups and rotations, especially early in camp when coaches want to see combinations function in live action. With Dobbins and MacLeay handling in-game decision-making, Boston can still maintain its overall system while allowing more staff members to lead on-court adjustments.

Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay’s roles matter because they represent a broader coaching continuity. The preseason opener is one of the first opportunities for players to react to defensive communication in real time and for staff to assess fit in game-speed situations. That assessment can include how teams handle pace, how they cover in transition, and how bench units respond when rotations shift.

The report frames Mazzulla’s “twist” as something tied to his usual routine rather than a tactical overhaul. That distinction is important because it suggests the Celtics are not advertising a wholesale scheme change for the first exhibition, even as the coaching responsibilities rotate. For fans, that means the opener will likely look like a normal early-season test, built around lineups and adjustment periods rather than a statement gameplan.

The Celtics’ matchup with Cleveland also adds context. An interconference preseason game gives coaches a look at how their half-court actions and defensive assignments translate against a different roster construction than what teams often face in their first few exhibition home-and-away stretches. The primary value is comparative, not competitive, but it still gives staff tangible evidence for what needs more work before the regular season.

What to watch next for Boston is how the bench-led coaching approach influences the team’s in-game rhythm. With Dobbins and MacLeay on the sideline, observers will be looking for how quickly the Celtics can settle after halftime adjustments and how clearly their second unit communicates on both ends. If the “twist” is mostly ceremonial, it will still be useful as a way to see staff leadership in a live setting.

For Cleveland, the opener functions as another checkpoint for preparation, and preseason meetings with established teams tend to reveal which lineups can defend and rebound when the opponent is running its system. For both franchises, this first exhibition does not decide standings, but it can foreshadow how the coaching staff prioritizes roles, minutes, and defensive assignments as the calendar moves toward the regular season.