Mazzulla Will Miss Celtics Preseason Opener
The Boston head coach will sit out the October 9 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Basketball
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla will not lead his team during their preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 9, 2026. Assistant coaches Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay will step into the lead role for the 7 p.m. contest.
Why it matters
The decision provides an opportunity for members of the coaching staff to manage game-day responsibilities in a live environment during the preseason. It allows the organization to evaluate leadership dynamics on the bench ahead of the regular season.
Tony Dobbins, who had a 13-year professional playing career, will manage the first half of the game. DJ MacLeay, who joined the staff in 2021 as a player-enhancement coach, will lead the team during the second half.
The players
Joe Mazzulla
He serves as the head coach of the Boston Celtics.
Tony Dobbins
He has been a member of the Boston Celtics coaching staff since 2020.
DJ MacLeay
He joined the Boston Celtics coaching staff in 2021 in a player-enhancement role.
The details
Tony Dobbins will manage coaching responsibilities for the first half of the matchup at Rocket Arena, while DJ MacLeay takes over for the remainder of the game. The team continues its preseason schedule following this opener, with subsequent games planned against the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: The Celtics play the Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET.
October 10, 2026: The team faces the Philadelphia 76ers.
October 14, 2026: Boston plays against the Charlotte Hornets.
October 16, 2026: The Celtics conclude their preseason schedule against the 76ers.
Season Trajectory
This temporary change to the coaching structure occurs as the team tests its bench depth and staff rotation during the start of the preseason. The outcome of these games will help refine the team's internal hierarchy before the high-stakes matches during the regular season.
Fans should note that the first half will be under Dobbins' oversight and the second half under MacLeay's, which may influence substitution patterns and rotation timing. This rotation is restricted to the preseason opener and does not impact the team's roster availability for future games.
The takeaway
Preseason games function as experimental phases for both players and coaches to prepare for the regular season. Implementing staff rotations allows teams to strengthen their organizational depth throughout the league schedule.
Further reading
For additional insights into the team, visit the Boston Basketball page.
