The Celtics have always had a good defense under Joe Mazzulla, but the offense has always been the calling card. This season, that may be changing, and it has nothing to do with the offense. The defense has simply been on another level, and they’re playing more aggressively, forcing turnovers at a high rate, which is fueling easy offense even further.
On Friday night in Charlotte, we saw a next-level display from Mazzulla’s team on the defensive end. They held the Hornets to just 80 points on 29.5% shooting from the field, which was easily the best mark of the Mazzulla era, topping a game in 2025 when Boston held the Pelicans to 33.3% shooting.
Charlotte scored just 20 points in the first quarter, 19 in the second, and 18 in the third, before a relative explosion for 23 in the final frame, once the Celtics had essentially called off the dogs and pulled their starters. Boston gave up 11 threes in the game and just 16 two-point baskets over the entire four quarters.
Boston was actually somewhat sloppy with the ball, turning it over 19 times, which led to 10 fast-break points, and they allowed 19 offensive boards, leading to 18 second-chance points, but still, the Hornets simply couldn’t crack the Celtics’ defense all night.
Celtics held Hornets to 80 points on 29% shooting
It was absolutely smothering from the jump as the Celtics moved on a string, switching and hedging on screens to perfection, jumping into passing and driving lanes, and forcing difficult, contested shots over and over again. It’s beautiful to watch, and it looked completely impenetrable on Friday night.
Granted, the Hornets aren’t exactly a good offense right now. They traded away LaMelo Ball, their main offensive engine, in the offseason. Kon Knueppel missed this game with an injury, and Brandon Miller left early with an injury. They were completely outmatched. But still, this is an NBA team, and the Celtics never even gave them a glimmer of hope.
And while this was the most impressive performance, it’s hardly like this showing was a fluke for the Celtics. On the season, which is now more than 10% complete, Boston is tied for the third-best defensive rating in the NBA; they are second in opponent field goals made per game and third in opponent field goal percentage.
But unlike past seasons, when they weren’t forcing turnovers, this season they are top-10 in the league in that category as well. This defense is only getting better, and as they keep adjusting to the scheme and personnel, there’s no reason they can’t even take it up a notch. It’s an exciting and promising development for the Celtics, and it should give them a great chance to win, even on nights when shots aren’t falling on offense.
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