As the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics reach their fever pitch, a unique story has unfolded that bridges the worlds of hockey and basketball, uniting the Bay Area sports community in excitement and pride. At the heart of it all stands Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old hockey phenom who has taken the Olympic stage by storm for Team Canada, capturing the attention of not just hockey fans, but also his extended family within the Golden State Warriors organization.
Celebrini, already a household name in NHL circles as the Sharks' rising star and the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has been nothing short of sensational in Milan. Through five games, he has tallied an impressive five goals and five assists, consistently stepping up in the tournament's most critical moments. His performance has not only helped propel Team Canada into Sunday’s gold medal showdown against the United States, but has also sparked a wave of support and admiration from some unlikely fans—namely, the Warriors.
What’s the connection? Macklin’s father, Rick Celebrini, has served as the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance since 2018. Over the years, the Celebrini family has become deeply woven into the fabric of Golden State’s culture, with many players and coaches forming close bonds with Rick and, by extension, his talented son. As a result, the Warriors have found themselves glued to their screens, following every twist and turn of Team Canada’s Olympic journey.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, recounted the scene during a recent interview with 95.7 The Game. "This has been so much fun for all of us, but especially for Rick and his family to watch Macklin," Kerr shared. "This morning, we were getting ready to start our film session, and the Canada game was 2-2 in the final minutes. Basically the whole team was watching the last two minutes. We saw them score, and everybody went nuts. We're all so thrilled for Macklin and his family and Rick. So it's been fun to follow."
Kerr’s enthusiasm was echoed by the entire Warriors roster, who have embraced their honorary status as Team Canada fans for the duration of the Olympics. The Warriors’ Friday morning film session, typically focused on preparing for their upcoming NBA matchup against the Denver Nuggets, was temporarily put on hold as players and coaches huddled around to watch the nail-biting closing moments of Canada’s game. According to Kerr, "We had half the team watching the final two minutes of the game. Because it was 2-2, and it was 10 o’clock, and we’re supposed to be starting film. Nope, we’re gonna watch to see what happens."
The familial pride is palpable. Rick Celebrini, after tending to NBA business in Los Angeles, made a transatlantic journey to Milan to support his son in person, leaving the Warriors in the capable hands of his colleagues but never far from their thoughts. Kerr revealed that despite the distance, he and Rick have maintained daily communication, sharing in the highs and lows of the Olympic experience.
For Kerr, who has witnessed greatness firsthand as both a player alongside legends like Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan and as Steph Curry’s coach, Macklin’s rapid ascent is nothing short of remarkable. "What I feel is that Macklin has the combination that is so rare of incredible talent and unbelievable leadership, maturity, humanity. Just he gets it. He gets it, at 19," Kerr explained. "It usually takes guys years to be mature enough to understand how to compete, how to conduct yourself, how to treat your teammates, and not to make the Steph comparison, but that's what it takes to be a superstar. It's not just the talent, it's the intangibles, and Macklin seems to have the intangibles."
Kerr’s praise didn’t stop at the ice. With his trademark sense of humor, he added, "Pretty remarkable at that age that he can become that trusted, that good, this quickly, especially in the face of such poor parenting growing up. I don't know how he's been able to overcome. Thank God for [Rick's wife] Robyn, that's what I would say. The mom clearly has done all the work." Kerr fondly recalled scenes from the Warriors’ old practice facility, where Robyn and Macklin would team up in spirited two-on-two basketball games against Macklin’s siblings. "So, it was mom and three kids involved in a full-court, two-on-two (game). You want to see an athletic family in action — it was always fun to watch. And Rick would take it all in."
The Warriors’ admiration for Macklin extends beyond the coaching staff. Gary Payton II, known for his own competitive fire, has been spotted wearing Celebrini’s Sharks jersey after games and didn’t hesitate to draw lofty comparisons. "The kid’s unreal. I feel like he’s gonna end up being one of those when it’s all said and done, like Wayne [Gretzky], Sid [Crosby], Alex [Ovechkin], Mac. So it’s exciting to see from the start and see where it goes, and it’s going pretty damn good right now, and I’m excited. I’m rooting for Mac, for sure," Payton said. He even issued a rallying cry to Bay Area fans: "Five a.m., go watch Mack. All right? Everybody wake up in the Bay. Go watch Mack."
Moses Moody, another young Warrior, offered his own insights into what makes Macklin special, drawing from their time rehabbing injuries together under Rick’s guidance. "Like this silent confidence and competitiveness, composure," Moody commented. "I've seen something; he's got that look in his eye. But Mack, he's got that silent confidence too. Well, I don't know him for real, but, like, being around him, he doesn't overdo it, but you can tell he's working, he's precise. In conversation, you can just tell when somebody's a thinker more than a talker type of guy, and that's how he seems like."
The Warriors’ connection to the Celebrini family runs deep, and their support for Macklin is rooted in years of shared experiences, both on and off the court. From family basketball games to injury rehab sessions, the bonds formed have only strengthened as Macklin’s star has risen. As Kerr put it, "Everybody’s engaged, especially the guys who have been here a while, who know Rick so well and Macklin and the family. So, it’s pretty cool to just see it all develop and to see the pride in Rick’s eyes and hear it in his voice — it’s wonderful."
With the gold medal game between Team Canada and Team USA set for Sunday, February 23, 2026, at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, anticipation is at an all-time high. Kerr joked about possibly needing to record the game and watch it before heading to the arena for the Warriors’ own contest later that day, but Payton and others will be up early, eager to witness history in real time.
As the Olympic spotlight shines on Milan, the Warriors and the Bay Area community will be watching closely, cheering not just for a hockey star, but for a member of their extended family. Win or lose, Macklin Celebrini’s journey has already become a cherished chapter in the ongoing story of sports, family, and the pursuit of greatness.