The Boston Celtics have signed head coach Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Mazzulla, 37, called the agreement “a blessing,” thanking his family, Celtics ownership, president Brad Stevens, and his players. “I look forward to competing for the Celtics and the city of Boston,” he said in a statement. The youngest head coach to win an NBA title since Bill Russell in 1969, Mazzulla has led Boston to the playoffs in each of his three seasons, including the franchise’s 18th championship in 2023-24. The Celtics have won at least 57 games each season under his leadership, surpassing 60 victories in the past two campaigns.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was seen walking without a boot or brace Wednesday while attending the New England Patriots’ joint training camp practice with the Washington Commanders. Tatum, recovering from May surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles suffered in the Eastern Conference semifinals, is expected to miss most, if not all of next NBA season. His appearance marked a positive step in his rehabilitation, which has included weight room workouts at the Celtics’ facility. At camp, Tatum spent most of his time on the sideline, chatting with Patriots players and Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has said the team will not rush Tatum’s return despite his steady progress.

The San Antonio Spurs have secured star guard De’Aaron Fox for the long term, agreeing to a reported four-year, $229 million extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. Fox, 27, is entering the final year of his five-year, $163 million contract. The new deal, confirmed by the team after initial reports, will take effect in the 2026-27 campaign. Acquired from the Sacramento Kings at last season’s trade deadline, De’Aaron said he’s motivated to contribute to the Spurs’ championship tradition. “You come in here and you feel the environment, the fans, and you see those banners,” Fox said. “There’s nothing you can do besides try to build on that.” An eight-year veteran, Fox owns career averages of 21.5 points and 6.1 assists. He averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 assists in 17 games with San Antonio last season.

It’s been an unbelievably unlucky two-plus weeks for Orioles catchers, and the misfortune continued over the weekend in Atlanta. On Sunday, Baltimore placed Gary Sánchezon the 10-day injured list due to a PCL sprain he sustained in his right knee during Saturday’s 9-6, 10-inning win over the Braves. The 32-year-old is expected to miss 8-10 weeks, per interim manager Tony Mansolino, who said the catcher met with doctors upon returning to Baltimore this week. Sánchez became the fourth O’s catcher to hit the IL, with each doing so since June 21 — Adley Rutschman (left oblique strain) on June 21, Maverick Handley (concussion) on June 23 and Chadwick Tromp (lower back strain) on Tuesday. Jackson will pair with Jacob Stallings — who signed a Minor League deal on June 24 and was called up from Triple-A on Tuesday — to serve as the Orioles’ catching duo for the time being. That’s two backstops who weren’t in the organization less than two weeks ago. “We’ve got good people here. Those are good catchers,” Mansolino said. “If you’re going to bring in somebody that has the ability to quickly catch up, it’s a guy like Jacob. And then, obviously, Alex Jackson’s got a lot of time in the big leagues now with multiple teams.”

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday following an injury sustained during a recent workout, the team announced. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow at NYU–Langone Sports Medicine Orthopedic Center. George will begin rehabilitation immediately and be re-evaluated before the start of training camp. George, 35, signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers in the summer of 2024. However, his first season in Philadelphia was riddled with injuries, including knee and adductor issues, leading to one of the least productive years of his career. He averaged just 16.2 points over 41 games, his lowest full-season average since 2011-12. The nine-time All-Star and 15-year veteran has career averages of 20.6 points across 908 games. The Sixers remain hopeful that George will return to full strength ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season as they look to compete at the top of the Eastern Conference.