If you didn’t watch Game 1 between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers and only took a look at the scoreboard, chances are you would think Jayson Tatum had a spectacular game.
He finished the night with 36 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a couple of three-pointers on 46% from the floor.
However, the bulk of his production came with his team leading, and he was nowhere to be found when it mattered the most, going 2-for-8 in the fourth quarter.
He did knock down the dagger in overtime to secure a win, but it was Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, and even Al Horford, the ones who showed up for the full 53 minutes of the game.
That’s why, following the win, Tatum tipped his hat to his teammates, stating that big-time players make big-time plays and praising them for the way they took care of business (via NBA).
"Big time players make big time plays… this was the definition of a team win."
Jayson Tatum compliments Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White's Game 1 performances
#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/TrsjVhfhTa
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024
Brown knocked down a huge three-pointer to force overtime, Jrue Holiday was all over the court on both ends of the floor, and White kept smothering Tyrese Haliburton on defense late in the game.
Horford knocked down some big shots, played stellar defense, and bailed Tatum and Joe Mazzulla out of what could’ve been an ugly and head-scratching loss.
Tatum does deserve plenty of credit for driving Haliburton away from the basket in a potential game-winning shot, but once again, he left some to be desired when his team was in clear need of a go-to guy.
That might not get the job done vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, or even vs. this Pacers team again.
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