Watch: Jayson Tatum and Joe Mazzulla play ‘Duck Duck Goose’ with kids after Celtics practice

Jayson Tatum and Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla were all business on the hardwood with the training camp underway. However, once they called it a day, the duo shared a wholesome moment with the kids who were present at the Auerbach Center on Sunday. The wider Celtics family had a chance to unwind and play and also saw the forward enjoy quality downtime.

A game of duck duck goose ensued as part of the fun activities, and the 5x NBA All-Star was first to be “it,” meaning the Celtics superstar was the first to eventually be chased around the circle.

Tatum reacted to the clip on his social media as well.

The practice session on Sunday was their final in the US before heading to Abu Dhabi for preseason action against the Denver Nuggets. The Celtics will also play three more preseason games back in the US before the 2024-25 campaign begins. Jayson Tatum and Boston open their season on October 22 at home against the New York Knicks.

Joe Mazzulla explains why he was happy with Jayson Tatum’s Team USA benching

On Boston Celtics Media Day, Jayson Tatum revealed that head coach Joe Mazzulla was one of the happier people when it came to news of his Team USA benching. He added that the head coach was also the happiest that the forward didn’t win Finals MVP and didn’t play two games in the Paris Olympics. When asked about the take, Mazzulla said:

“One hundred percent right. I mean, that comes off as love. That’s just the way that I love him. This is the relationship that we have, and I appreciate that he accepts my perspective and the way that we go about talking about it.”

He further added:

“It doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t be pissed off about it, and I didn’t want to take away from how that may affect him in real time. I wasn’t there. But as his coach and as somebody that really cares about him, I thought it was great because it gives him something to work toward for the rest [of his career].”

Mazzulla believed the motivation to bounce back from the snub and lock in to defend the title was more of a sensible move for Jayson Tatum. Only time will tell if the forward can help the Celtics repeat as NBA champions this season.