Jack Simone
@jacksimone.bsky.social
Celtics reporter: http://HardwoodHoudini.com | Co-Host: How ‘Bout Them Celtics podcast (YouTube, Spotify, Apple, etc.)
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Jack Simone
@jacksimone.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Xavier Tillman is perfect for the Celtics for all of the most important reasons
Boston Celtics big man Xavier Tillman has built a life of priorities - family, human, basketball player - and it's why he's loved everywhere he goes.
hardwoodhoudini.com
NEW: Xavier Tillman is family first, basketball second. It's what makes him who he is.
"Whether he's playing a lot, playing a little, he's the same human being. And I think that's why guys respect him."
I spoke with X and others for Hardwood Houdini: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"Whether he's playing a lot, playing a little, he's the same human being. And I think that's why guys respect him."
I spoke with X and others for Hardwood Houdini: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The Celtics are 2-5 in clutch games this year. Tuesday night in Philly was the latest, and perhaps the most brutal.
“I think we’re going to be in a lot of close games this year… It’d be nice to start winning some of them.”
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-stuc...
“I think we’re going to be in a lot of close games this year… It’d be nice to start winning some of them.”
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-stuc...
Celtics stuck in brutal clutch-time nightmare that could define their season
The Boston Celtics lost another clutch game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
hardwoodhoudini.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
NEW: The Celtics are 2-5 in clutch games this year. Tuesday night in Philly was the latest, and perhaps the most brutal.
“I think we’re going to be in a lot of close games this year… It’d be nice to start winning some of them.”
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-stuc...
“I think we’re going to be in a lot of close games this year… It’d be nice to start winning some of them.”
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-stuc...
NEW: Teams are starting to run on the Celtics, and it’s working. Every small decision impacts transition, and they’re all piling up.
“It's all about communication.”
“We got to match up better… You just got to get back.”
More from Orlando: hardwoodhoudini.com/magic-jazz-f...
“It's all about communication.”
“We got to match up better… You just got to get back.”
More from Orlando: hardwoodhoudini.com/magic-jazz-f...
Opponents found a Celtics weak spot (and they’re abusing it)
Teams are running all over the Boston Celtics, and it's slowly turning into a trend.
hardwoodhoudini.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
NEW: Teams are starting to run on the Celtics, and it’s working. Every small decision impacts transition, and they’re all piling up.
“It's all about communication.”
“We got to match up better… You just got to get back.”
More from Orlando: hardwoodhoudini.com/magic-jazz-f...
“It's all about communication.”
“We got to match up better… You just got to get back.”
More from Orlando: hardwoodhoudini.com/magic-jazz-f...
NEW: Payton Pritchard hasn't shot well from long range this season. But he's become one of the best two-point scorers in the league.
“I don't even think when I'm doing a move, it just happens so naturally.”
More on Pritchard dominating the interior: hardwoodhoudini.com/one-thing-pa...
“I don't even think when I'm doing a move, it just happens so naturally.”
More on Pritchard dominating the interior: hardwoodhoudini.com/one-thing-pa...
The one thing Payton Pritchard’s doing that changes everything
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard isn't shooting well from three, but inside the arc, everything he touches turns to gold.
hardwoodhoudini.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:29 AM
NEW: Payton Pritchard hasn't shot well from long range this season. But he's become one of the best two-point scorers in the league.
“I don't even think when I'm doing a move, it just happens so naturally.”
More on Pritchard dominating the interior: hardwoodhoudini.com/one-thing-pa...
“I don't even think when I'm doing a move, it just happens so naturally.”
More on Pritchard dominating the interior: hardwoodhoudini.com/one-thing-pa...
Joe Mazzulla doesn’t want the Celtics to put their issues behind them. He wants them to embrace it.
So, every time Philly made a run, Boston breathed it in, felt the emotions, and went from there.
That’s how they won. That’s how they’ll continue to win.
More in my story below:
So, every time Philly made a run, Boston breathed it in, felt the emotions, and went from there.
That’s how they won. That’s how they’ll continue to win.
More in my story below:
November 1, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Joe Mazzulla doesn’t want the Celtics to put their issues behind them. He wants them to embrace it.
So, every time Philly made a run, Boston breathed it in, felt the emotions, and went from there.
That’s how they won. That’s how they’ll continue to win.
More in my story below:
So, every time Philly made a run, Boston breathed it in, felt the emotions, and went from there.
That’s how they won. That’s how they’ll continue to win.
More in my story below:
NEW: The 76ers did everything in their power to force a Celtics collapse on Friday night. But it never happened.
Boston always responded. Joe Mazzulla wants them to embrace the moment.
“Instead of trying to kind of get out of the emotion, feel it.”
hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-embi...
Boston always responded. Joe Mazzulla wants them to embrace the moment.
“Instead of trying to kind of get out of the emotion, feel it.”
hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-embi...
Celtics’ Joel Embiid plan didn’t just work—it proved this team’s edge is real
The Boston Celtics put Xavier Tillman on Joel Embiid to close out a win over the Philadelphia 76ers, but that was merely one example of a much larger mindset.
hardwoodhoudini.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
NEW: The 76ers did everything in their power to force a Celtics collapse on Friday night. But it never happened.
Boston always responded. Joe Mazzulla wants them to embrace the moment.
“Instead of trying to kind of get out of the emotion, feel it.”
hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-embi...
Boston always responded. Joe Mazzulla wants them to embrace the moment.
“Instead of trying to kind of get out of the emotion, feel it.”
hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-embi...
NEW: In three years with the Wolves, Josh Minott barely played. In two starts with the Celtics, he grabbed 23 rebounds and held opponents to 6-of-28 shooting.
"It's just a blessing to be here."
Minott has found a home in Boston.
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/josh-minott-...
"It's just a blessing to be here."
Minott has found a home in Boston.
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/josh-minott-...
Josh Minott’s Celtics breakout is haunting the Timberwolves already
In just two starts with the Boston Celtics, Josh Minott is making Minnesota Timberwolves fans look silly.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
NEW: In three years with the Wolves, Josh Minott barely played. In two starts with the Celtics, he grabbed 23 rebounds and held opponents to 6-of-28 shooting.
"It's just a blessing to be here."
Minott has found a home in Boston.
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/josh-minott-...
"It's just a blessing to be here."
Minott has found a home in Boston.
More here: hardwoodhoudini.com/josh-minott-...
NEW: Rebounding has failed the Celtics. Shot-making, too. Now, they're in a hole they haven't experienced in over a decade.
Process over results is the way out. But the process is new. As are the results.
“We got to chip away at it.”
More from Detroit: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Process over results is the way out. But the process is new. As are the results.
“We got to chip away at it.”
More from Detroit: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Celtics just stumbled into test they haven't faced in over a decade
A 0-3 start to the Boston Celtics season hasn't caused panic, but it should certainly cause reflection.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:43 AM
NEW: Rebounding has failed the Celtics. Shot-making, too. Now, they're in a hole they haven't experienced in over a decade.
Process over results is the way out. But the process is new. As are the results.
“We got to chip away at it.”
More from Detroit: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Process over results is the way out. But the process is new. As are the results.
“We got to chip away at it.”
More from Detroit: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The third quarter was near-perfect new Celtics basketball. The fourth was not. But it's all part of the learning process.
“Maybe just got a little comfortable. Gave them life.”
More on Maxey and the Celtics' tough Opening Night loss: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“Maybe just got a little comfortable. Gave them life.”
More on Maxey and the Celtics' tough Opening Night loss: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Tyrese Maxey helped Celtics gain two learning points on Opening Night
The Boston Celtics should want to replicate their third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers on Opening Night, but thanks to Tyrese Maxey, not the fourth.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
NEW: The third quarter was near-perfect new Celtics basketball. The fourth was not. But it's all part of the learning process.
“Maybe just got a little comfortable. Gave them life.”
More on Maxey and the Celtics' tough Opening Night loss: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“Maybe just got a little comfortable. Gave them life.”
More on Maxey and the Celtics' tough Opening Night loss: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
No update on Jaylen Brown's status from Joe Mazzulla. Said they're going to see how he feels during his pre-game shootaround.
October 22, 2025 at 9:47 PM
No update on Jaylen Brown's status from Joe Mazzulla. Said they're going to see how he feels during his pre-game shootaround.
NEW: Opening Night is special. These aren't the same Celtics from past years. But the preparation is the same.
“It's basketball, at the end of the day.”
New Celtics, new excitement: The thrill of the unknown.
Read more from Joe, DWhite, and Neemi here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“It's basketball, at the end of the day.”
New Celtics, new excitement: The thrill of the unknown.
Read more from Joe, DWhite, and Neemi here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
New-look Celtics are finally here with unknown thrill (and some of the same)
The Boston Celtics are still using the same preparation tactics, yet the thrill of the unknown will be more prevalent than ever.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
NEW: Opening Night is special. These aren't the same Celtics from past years. But the preparation is the same.
“It's basketball, at the end of the day.”
New Celtics, new excitement: The thrill of the unknown.
Read more from Joe, DWhite, and Neemi here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“It's basketball, at the end of the day.”
New Celtics, new excitement: The thrill of the unknown.
Read more from Joe, DWhite, and Neemi here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The life of an E-10 player isn't an easy one. But it's worth it. And with the Celtics, it's more than just an opportunity.
“Great staff, great organization. It's fun to show up to work every day.”
More on the inner workings here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“Great staff, great organization. It's fun to show up to work every day.”
More on the inner workings here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Training camp life with the Celtics was a chance to keep dreams alive
For those on E-10 contracts, the Boston Celtics provide a chance to keep their NBA dreams alive.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:55 PM
NEW: The life of an E-10 player isn't an easy one. But it's worth it. And with the Celtics, it's more than just an opportunity.
“Great staff, great organization. It's fun to show up to work every day.”
More on the inner workings here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“Great staff, great organization. It's fun to show up to work every day.”
More on the inner workings here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The Celtics are going to play fast. That means transition, help defense, and lots of screens.
But off-ball movement is just as important.
“The crucial part to playing fast is getting your spots fast.”
More from Hauser, Jaylen, and Mazzulla here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
But off-ball movement is just as important.
“The crucial part to playing fast is getting your spots fast.”
More from Hauser, Jaylen, and Mazzulla here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Hauser, Minott, and more ready to quietly lift up new Celtics plan
Off-ball movement is just as important to the Boston Celtics' new fast-paced style as everything else.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
NEW: The Celtics are going to play fast. That means transition, help defense, and lots of screens.
But off-ball movement is just as important.
“The crucial part to playing fast is getting your spots fast.”
More from Hauser, Jaylen, and Mazzulla here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
But off-ball movement is just as important.
“The crucial part to playing fast is getting your spots fast.”
More from Hauser, Jaylen, and Mazzulla here: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The Celtics' center room is brand new. That means developing new chemistry, learning new screens, and understanding new tendencies.
"Being able to make the right read... Being able to do that over and over again."
More here on the process: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"Being able to make the right read... Being able to do that over and over again."
More here on the process: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
New Celtics learning process will sit at core of everything they want to do
The new Boston Celtics big-man room will need to learn quickly, as they will be at the center of the offense.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
NEW: The Celtics' center room is brand new. That means developing new chemistry, learning new screens, and understanding new tendencies.
"Being able to make the right read... Being able to do that over and over again."
More here on the process: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"Being able to make the right read... Being able to do that over and over again."
More here on the process: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The Celtics want their bigs more involved this season. Luka Garza was at the eye of that hurricane in Memphis. And there's no place he'd rather be.
“I want to be a part of the action, so it makes it easy.”
More here on Garza and the art of the screen: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“I want to be a part of the action, so it makes it easy.”
More here on Garza and the art of the screen: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Luka Garza just showed off new Celtics big man plans in debut
The Boston Celtics want their bigs to be in the center of everything this year, and Luka Garza showed that off against the Memphis Grizzlies.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
NEW: The Celtics want their bigs more involved this season. Luka Garza was at the eye of that hurricane in Memphis. And there's no place he'd rather be.
“I want to be a part of the action, so it makes it easy.”
More here on Garza and the art of the screen: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
“I want to be a part of the action, so it makes it easy.”
More here on Garza and the art of the screen: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: The Celtics' new offense will be ever-changing, but they don't plan on losing the roots they've grown for the last two years.
"We'd still like to shoot a lot of threes."
From Memphis on the fluidity of Boston's offensive plans: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"We'd still like to shoot a lot of threes."
From Memphis on the fluidity of Boston's offensive plans: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Celtics' new offensive style doesn't mean end of the three-ball
The Boston Celtics will still shoot threes, but the state of their new offense will be a fluid one.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
NEW: The Celtics' new offense will be ever-changing, but they don't plan on losing the roots they've grown for the last two years.
"We'd still like to shoot a lot of threes."
From Memphis on the fluidity of Boston's offensive plans: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"We'd still like to shoot a lot of threes."
From Memphis on the fluidity of Boston's offensive plans: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
NEW: Defensive physicality has been at the forefront of Celtics training camp. “It's definitely been a war out there.”
But it's so much more than that.
“We're learning.”
“It's a holistic approach.”
On the Celtics' defensive revamp: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
But it's so much more than that.
“We're learning.”
“It's a holistic approach.”
On the Celtics' defensive revamp: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Payton Pritchard ready to help pick up pieices of crushed Celtics area of need
The Boston Celtics are reshaping their defense, and guys like Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, and Josh Minott have lived that process.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:32 PM
NEW: Defensive physicality has been at the forefront of Celtics training camp. “It's definitely been a war out there.”
But it's so much more than that.
“We're learning.”
“It's a holistic approach.”
On the Celtics' defensive revamp: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
But it's so much more than that.
“We're learning.”
“It's a holistic approach.”
On the Celtics' defensive revamp: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Joe Mazzulla doesn't want to be 'Coach.' He wants to be 'Joe.' That relationship has been deeply woven into the fabric of Celtics culture, on and off the court.
"I feel like I'd run through a wall for him."
A deep look at what drives Mazzulla's Celtics: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"I feel like I'd run through a wall for him."
A deep look at what drives Mazzulla's Celtics: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
Joe Mazzulla doesn't want the Celtics to have a head coach
In the mind of Joe Mazzulla, there is no head coach of the Boston Celtics, because that's the culture he wants to create.
hardwoodhoudini.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Joe Mazzulla doesn't want to be 'Coach.' He wants to be 'Joe.' That relationship has been deeply woven into the fabric of Celtics culture, on and off the court.
"I feel like I'd run through a wall for him."
A deep look at what drives Mazzulla's Celtics: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
"I feel like I'd run through a wall for him."
A deep look at what drives Mazzulla's Celtics: hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celti...
The Knicks have started playing the same drop they did against Tatum in the regular season on Brown, and he's found White and Pritchard for easy pick-and-pop threes.
Great screen reads by the guards, and great job making the right play by Brown. He's been awesome tonight.
Great screen reads by the guards, and great job making the right play by Brown. He's been awesome tonight.
May 15, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The Knicks have started playing the same drop they did against Tatum in the regular season on Brown, and he's found White and Pritchard for easy pick-and-pop threes.
Great screen reads by the guards, and great job making the right play by Brown. He's been awesome tonight.
Great screen reads by the guards, and great job making the right play by Brown. He's been awesome tonight.
Sam Hauser is AVAILABLE to play in Game 5 vs. the Knicks, per Celtics PR.
May 14, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Sam Hauser is AVAILABLE to play in Game 5 vs. the Knicks, per Celtics PR.
Official statement from the Celtics on Jayson Tatum undergoing successful surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles.
May 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Official statement from the Celtics on Jayson Tatum undergoing successful surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles.
Knicks just scored off a turnover, and Jayson Tatum is down on the ground writhing in pain. He's holding his ankle. Doesn't look good.
May 13, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Knicks just scored off a turnover, and Jayson Tatum is down on the ground writhing in pain. He's holding his ankle. Doesn't look good.
Sam Hauser is OUT tonight for Game 4 vs. the Knicks, per Celtics PR.
May 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Sam Hauser is OUT tonight for Game 4 vs. the Knicks, per Celtics PR.
Joe Mazzulla on managing stacked guard room with Pritchard's emergence this year: “You give the game what it needs. You trust all your guys... It’s just more about all the guys understanding that we have a ton of depth… We have a lot of trust in each other.”
May 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Joe Mazzulla on managing stacked guard room with Pritchard's emergence this year: “You give the game what it needs. You trust all your guys... It’s just more about all the guys understanding that we have a ton of depth… We have a lot of trust in each other.”
Tom Thibodeau on what went wrong in Game 3: “Getting back in defensive transition. You gotta challenge their shots. They can go on runs, so you can’t let your guard down at all.”
May 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Tom Thibodeau on what went wrong in Game 3: “Getting back in defensive transition. You gotta challenge their shots. They can go on runs, so you can’t let your guard down at all.”
Pregame scenes before Celtics-Knicks Game 4 tonight at 7:30pm. Celtics win, it’s 2-2 going back to Boston. Knicks win, it’s a 3-1 series lead.
Jrue Holiday this morning:
“I just think it’s us against the world.”
Jrue Holiday this morning:
“I just think it’s us against the world.”
May 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Pregame scenes before Celtics-Knicks Game 4 tonight at 7:30pm. Celtics win, it’s 2-2 going back to Boston. Knicks win, it’s a 3-1 series lead.
Jrue Holiday this morning:
“I just think it’s us against the world.”
Jrue Holiday this morning:
“I just think it’s us against the world.”