Boston Celtics Star Kristaps Porzingis Makes Honest Jayson Tatum Statement

Kristaps Porzingis spoke about Jayson Tatum after Saturday's game.

Sep 24, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) talks to reporters during media day at Auerbach Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

On Saturday evening, the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls by a score of 123-98 at the United Center.

Jayson Tatum had one of the best games of his career, finishing with 43 points, 15 rebounds and ten assists while shooting 16/24 from the field and 9/15 from the three-point range in 36 minutes of playing time.

Via The NBA: "Jayson Tatum STUFFED the stat sheet in Chicago!

43 PTS
16 REB
10 AST
9 3PM

Tatum is the 1st player in Celtics franchise history to record a 40+ PT, 15+ REB, & 10+ AST triple-double!"

Jayson Tatum STUFFED the stat sheet in Chicago!

🍀 43 PTS
🍀 16 REB
🍀 10 AST
🍀 9 3PM

Tatum is the 1st player in Celtics franchise history to record a 40+ PT, 15+ REB, & 10+ AST triple-double! pic.twitter.com/rddh1YnbPg

— NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2024

After the game, Kristaps Porzingis spoke about his superstar teammate (h/t Noa Dalzell of Celtics on CLNS).

Porzingis: "He's not a PR player. He doesn't do everything just for PR. He actually plays the right way, he doesn't need to always score 50. He's hungry for winning... A lot of people take him for granted."

Kristaps Porzingis agreed with Joe 100% that people take Jayson Tatum for granted:

“He’s not a PR player — he doesn't do everything just for PR. He actually plays the right way, he doesn't need to always score 50. He’s hungry for winning. And that's a big difference.” pic.twitter.com/aOAwv8XMQv

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) December 22, 2024

Tatum is now averaging an incredible 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point range in 26 games.

Feb 4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts to game action reacts to game action against the Memphis Grizzlies with center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

As for Porzingis, he is in his second year playing for Boston.

The 2018 NBA All-Star finished the victory over Chicago with 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 8/15 from the field and 2/6 from the three-point range in 30 minutes of playing time.

Dec 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Celtics are the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 22-6 record.