Mazzulla, Celtics players react differently to new rings

“It’s just something I’ve dreamed about for a very, very long time,” Tatum added. “A moment I've been looking forward to since I've been in the league. A moment where, before we won, I was very, very close to winning a championship and missed.

“So to finally get over that hurdle and finally be a part of an opening ring ceremony, something I've seen every year since I was a kid, was just a wild moment. I am part of it. I am a part of history and it was worth the wait.”

For two star players who had been through ups and downs in Boston, it was a cathartic moment for Tatum and Brown to finally get their hands on a ring.

But their head coach Joe Mazzulla had a more practical response to the latest addition to his jewelry box.

“I don’t know when I got the ring, I just think it’s too big,” Mazzulla explained. “I don't know why it's so big and I'll never wear it. But it’s cool to have, I thought.”

Mazzulla wasn't the only Celtic amazed by the size of the new Boston ring. Al Horford admitted he needs to have his ring rebuilt after injuring his ring finger in the 2024 playoffs.

“Honestly, I was just really surprised by the size of this ring. Have you seen the ring? “The thing was, I dislocated my finger during the playoffs and it was super swollen, so to speak. When I took the measurements, I realized it was a lot bigger than it should be,” Horford said. “Right now I can’t even wear it.

“My finger has swollen and is just huge. I kept talking to (Kristaps Porzingis) and the guys were like, 'Man, this thing is just huge.' It's just pretty cool. I kept looking at the size of the ring and the details and they really did a great job.”

Regardless of how each player and coach on the 2023-24 Celtics team chooses to wear their new rings, it's physical (and eye-catching) evidence of a long-awaited title in Boston.

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Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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