Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made a daring move during Sunday evening's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, shaking up his lineup midway through the third quarter. Despite only holding onto a three-point lead at the time, Mazzulla decided to bench star players Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday, opting to insert Al Horford, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard onto the court. Shortly after, Mazzulla made another change, swapping Kristaps Porzingis for Neemias Queta.

The unconventional decision to sit key starters paid off for the Celtics, as their reserve players stepped up to the challenge. None of the benched starters returned to the court until the fourth quarter, but it didn't hinder the team's performance. Boston maintained their three-point advantage and held off a late Grizzlies rally, securing a 102-100 victory.

When asked about his decision, Mazzulla explained to reporters, "One, to develop a group, another identity, to be able to play some basketball without those guys... I thought it was an opportunity to find a better rhythm, find a better lineup and look to go on a little bit of a run there." With the Celtics facing the second leg of a back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, it wouldn't be surprising to see Mazzulla employ a similar approach to manage player minutes and explore different lineup combinations.

Sunday's game served as a valuable opportunity for the Celtics' bench players to gain experience and confidence during extended playing time. Their contributions proved crucial in securing the win against a determined Grizzlies squad. The performance showcased Boston's depth and versatility, emphasizing that the team is more than just its star players.

Looking ahead, the Celtics will now turn their attention to a matchup against the Hornets in Charlotte. With tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, Mazzulla and his coaching staff will likely be assessing the lineups and rotations to maximize performance while managing the players' workloads.

While it may have seemed like a bold move on Mazzulla's part, the decision to shake up the lineup paid off for the Celtics against the Grizzlies. It remains to be seen if this approach will be a recurring strategy throughout the season or if it was a one-time adjustment, but the win against Memphis showed that Boston is willing to think outside the box in their pursuit of success.