Patriots’ Mike Vrabel trolled by Inside the NBA amid Dianna Russini controversy

The Boston Celtics are officially heading to the offseason, but they aren’t going alone. Following a disastrous 109-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7, the Inside the NBA crew, now airing on ESPN, decided to dial up the savagery for their legendary “Gone Fishing” segment.

While the graphic usually features dejected players from the losing squad, this iteration took a sharp turn into NFL tabloid territory. Floating on the virtual boat alongside a somber Jayson Tatum were New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and reporter Dianna Russini.

The inclusion was a blatant, unhinged nod to the ongoing rumors and controversy surrounding the pair. In a season where the Celtics made history for all the wrong reasons, the ESPN broadcast ensured the exit was as loud as possible.

'Inside the NBA' on ESPN includes Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel on the "Gone Fishing" graphic for the Boston Celtics. pic.twitter.com/NxhFY302aq

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 4, 2026

The game itself was a masterclass in frustration for Boston fans. After blowing a 3-1 series lead, the Celtics entered the decider without Jayson Tatum, who was sidelined by a lower leg injury. The resulting lineup was historically futile. Starters Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman, and Ron Harper Jr. combined for exactly zero points, marking the first time a starting trio went scoreless in a playoff game since 1970.

While the 76ers celebrated a gritty comeback led by Joel Embiid, the conversation quickly shifted to the sheer disrespect shown on the postgame show. Inside the NBA has never been known for its filter, but putting a local NFL coach and a high-profile journalist on the Celtics’ exit boat is a new level of “no chill.”

For Vrabel and the Patriots, it is an awkward crossover they likely didn’t ask for. For the Celtics, it’s the final insult in a collapse that will haunt the city of Boston for a long time. Whether it’s the lack of scoring or the off-court trolling, the 2026 playoffs just claimed their biggest victim.

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