The Boston Celtics just checked off another box on their to-do list: Clinching the Atlantic Division. But if you think Joe Mazzulla is throwing a party, you haven’t been paying attention. When asked about the milestone, the Celtics’ head coach didn’t even pretend to care. Instead, he dropped a Red Auerbach reference that said everything you need to know about this team’s mindset. “Red said it best,” Mazzulla told reporters. “No, that doesn’t matter. You win championships.”

And just like that, he shut the door on any talk of celebration. Because in Boston, winning the division means nothing—unless there’s a trophy at the end of the road. Boston’s 121-111 win over the Spurs marked their eighth straight victory and pushed their record to a dominant 55-19. They’ve been steamrolling through this road trip, but Mazzulla isn’t letting them take their foot off the gas. “You can’t take that for granted,” he said. “We’ve got to continue to do that.“

The Celtics aren’t satisfied. They’re not cruising into the playoffs, they’re attacking every game like it’s a must-win. That’s exactly the kind of mentality Mazzulla wants—and it’s exactly what makes this team dangerous.

It’s not just about talent. It’s about habits. “We haven’t changed our approach all season,” Mazzulla explained. “Just continuing to build the proper mindset.“

That approach is showing up in the way Boston plays. They aren’t just winning—they’re owning teams on both ends of the floor. Rebounding, defense, ball movement—every little thing matters. And Mazzulla is making sure they don’t forget it.

The Boston Celtics’ locker room mentality: All business, no distractions

Inside the Celtics locker room, there’s no talk of playoff seeding or individual accolades. No one’s patting themselves on the back for being one of the best teams in the league.

They know the real work is just beginning. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the rest of the squad have fully bought into Mazzulla’s mindset. This isn’t a team that’s going to let bad habits creep in just because the regular season is winding down. They’re locked in, they’re focused, and most importantly—they’re all on the same page.

Take Luke Kornet, for example. Against the Spurs, he came off the bench and completely took over the glass, grabbing 16 rebounds—more than the entire San Antonio frontcourt. That’s not just a big night; that’s a team effort. That’s what the Celtics are about.

And it goes beyond the X’s and O’s.

If you hear barking coming from the Celtics bench, don’t be alarmed. It’s not some random inside joke—it’s a battle cry. Jaylen Brown started it back in 2022, shouting “Where my road dogs at?” to fire up his teammates before big games. It stuck. Now, the entire team has embraced it, barking after clutch plays and using it to fuel their relentless energy.

It might sound funny, but it represents something serious—togetherness. This isn’t just a team playing good basketball. This is a team that wants to go to war together. And in the playoffs, that chemistry is going to matter just as much as talent.

With just eight games left in the regular season, the Celtics have put themselves in prime position for a deep playoff run. They’re right behind Cleveland for the top seed, but honestly? That’s not even the focus. It’s about one thing and one thing only: Winning a championship.

That’s why Mazzulla shrugged off the division title, that’s why the team isn’t getting caught up in their winning streak. That’s why they’re still barking, still battling, and still playing every game like it’s Game 7. Because as Mazzulla reminded everyone—just like Red Auerbach once did—nothing else matters until you win it all.