How Joe Mazzulla reacted to the Celtics’ recent home invasion

BOSTON — The Celtics were hit by two break-ins at the homes of Jaylen Brown and assistant coach Amile Jefferson this week, giving the team a chance to think about the future and take precautions.

Brown, a Wellesley resident, and Jefferson, who lives in Newton, Massachusetts, were in Washington during Boston’s win over the Wizards on Sunday. No one suffered physical harm, although Brown had to take an emergency break from practice this week to be by his mother’s side and Jefferson was stripped of his 2024 Celtics championship ring.

Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla responded to the situation with a sigh of relief before the Celtics hosted the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Thursday night.

“I’m learning from it, but they’re healthy, which is good, so they’re safe,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a scary thing for people. You see it happen in different sports, so of course we’re aware of that, but if it happens to you, you understand the risk there, so we’re just happy that they’re safe, and I think communication is that Most important. Jaylen was there for his mother. We try to be there for Amile. I think the Celtics have done a great job educating us on what we can do to get better.”

Brown and Jefferson were the latest in an ongoing series of crimes specifically targeting professional athletes in recent months. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals have had their homes broken into in the past two months. NBA veterans Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks and Mike Conley of the Minnesota Timberwolves were also hit this year, and the rampage continues.

The NBA and NFL have warned their players, with the NBA releasing a memo in November sharing information from the FBI. The trend in break-ins is believed to be due to a larger and more complex operation that needs to be uncovered.

“The NBA, which also provided guidance to team security personnel, recommended that players install updated alarm systems with cameras and use them when leaving home, store valuables in locked and secured safes, and remove online real estate listings that may contain interior photos “show” a home, “use a home protection service for long trips,” and even have dogs help protect your home, according to ESPN.

In the meantime, Boston will continue to do its part to keep everyone in the Celtics locker room as safe as possible while police continue their investigation. The reigning champions have tried to get ahead of the collapses at Brown and Jefferson by messaging players throughout the season about the ongoing spread of the incidents.

“The security team had some great updates for us,” Mazzulla revealed. “We had our first one the morning of the Cleveland (Cavaliers) game (on Nov. 19). I think it was on a Sunday and then we had the memo and then of course one the other day. When something like that happens, you’re obviously a lot more aware and just educated about all the little steps you can take. A lot of this is out of your control, but there are things you can do. Like I said, whether it’s the front office, our security team or the local police, they do a good job educating us on how we can be better.”