Mike Muscala is embarking on a new career. It helps that it's within the field he's most familiar with. The 11-year NBA veteran retired last offseason. A year later, he's returning to the league as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who broke the news, his addition to head coach Jordan Ott's staff stems from their time together with the Atlanta Hawks.
The franchise that calls "The Peach State" home made Muscala a second-round selection in 2013. Ott joined the Hawks that same year as a video coordinator. The two were in Atlanta together for three years.
Muscala's 11-year playing career included a brief stint with the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 season. He arrived as a front-court reinforcement at the trade deadline.
In 20 games, including four starts, he averaged 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds. The six-foot-10 sharpshooter knocked down 38.5 percent of the 3.3 threes he hoisted.
That June, Muscala was a part of the three-team trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston and sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Minnesota native split his final season between the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
He finished with career averages of 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds. He had a three-point conversion rate of 37.3 percent on 2.5 attempts from beyond the arc.
While Muscala, an NBA journeyman, played for seven teams, including the Celtics, he never suited up for the Suns.
Boston gets bumped off Christmas slate
With Jayson Tatum rehabbing a torn Achilles and the Celtics poised for a gap year from NBA title contention, the 18-time champions will not be a part of the marquee date on the league's regular-season calendar.
It's the first time in a decade that Boston is not a part of the Association's Christmas slate.
Instead, per ESPN's Shams Charania, the matchups that day are as follows:
🚨🎄 NBA Christmas Day 2025 on ABC and ESPN, per sources:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2025
- Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Houston Rockets at LA Lakers
- Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
It should come as no surprise, but the Celtics are not on the NBA's opening-night schedule, either.
Instead, per Charania, the reigning champion Thunder will host the Houston Rockets. That matchup means Kevin Durant will be there as his former franchise raises its first championship banner to the rafters.
Opening night will also feature Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers welcoming the Golden State Warriors' trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler to LA.
While nothing is official yet, there's a strong possibility that this matchup will include Al Horford suiting up for the visitors.