Former Celtic Svi Mykhailiuk, now with the Jazz, finally gets his championship ring
'Winning,' he said. 'A lot of winning. I feel like that's the main memory. Just being part of the team, doing everything the right way. At least trying to do everything the right way. And the togetherness of the team.
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'I'm pretty sure this year it's the same way. Everybody cares about winning. Nobody is really trying to get their personal stats or whatever. Everybody is playing together and everybody is standing together, so you win games.
Joe
[
Mazzulla
] would just say every game is going to be something different. So I feel like they embrace it and it helps them a lot.'
Mykhailiuk appeared in 41 regular-season games for the Celtics and averaged 4 points and 1.2 rebounds. Despite those modest numbers, Mazzulla said he had an important role.
'Svi was great,' Mazzulla said. 'He goes into that category of the group of guys that can really impact winning, and on nights when you don't have your guys, his ability to step in. He won games for us, and he won stretches of runs. I think that's huge. I think that's part of the reason why he's continued to kind of stay in [the NBA], and I think that's big.'
Mykhailiuk said he has kept in contact with several of his former teammates this season, and he has carried his indelible championship memories with him. He particularly enjoyed the duck boat parade, when he wore a 'Boston Svi Party' bucket hat and soaked up every moment.
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'[My parade memories] are a little blurry,' he said, smiling. 'No, I'm joking. It was great. I feel like the parade is one of those experiences that not a lot of players get to experience … It was definitely a blessing. I was fortunate to be a part of it and I wish everybody could experience it.'
Porzingis addresses illness
Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis
missed his sixth consecutive game Monday because of an undisclosed illness.
Porzingis publicly addressed his situation for the first time on Monday night with a post on X'
'I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven't been able to fully identify yet,' he wrote. 'I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full strength to help this team. Thanks for support and I'm hoping for a healthy return soon.'
Forward
Jayson Tatum
, who played nearly 46 minutes against the Lakers on Saturday, and 38-year-old
Al Horford
, who played 37, both sat out to rest.
***
Before Monday's game Mazzulla was asked about his brother,
Justin
, who is now an assistant video coordinator for the Jazz. But not even a family member could compel Boston's coach to break character.
'He works for the other team,' Mazzulla said with a straight face.
Springer now with Jazz
Last month the Celtics traded guard
Jaden Springer
to the Rockets in a cost-cutting move. Springer was waived and later signed with the Jazz. He has appeared in just six games for Utah, averaging 3.5 points and 1.5 assists.
'I think when he's been available he's given us some disruption on the defensive side of the ball,' Jazz coach
Will Hardy
said. 'We need better perimeter defense. We need players that not only understand the scheme, but also have some instinct and aggression to go make a play at different times on that side of the ball and I think Jaden's done that when he's been healthy.'
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