Celtics Overcome Tatum's Extended Injury Absence as Mazzulla Wins COTY

Jayson Tatum's significant injury absence this season was a central theme in Joe Mazzulla being named NBA Coach of the Year. Tatum missed most of the regular season, yet the Celtics managed to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and achieve an unexpected 56-win season. The team's ability to remain elite without their superstar forward, while also navigating the Kristaps Porzingis trade, highlighted the coaching performance that led to Mazzulla's first career Coach of the Year award.