Jayson Tatum Makes Bold Statement After Celtics-Nets Game

Jayson Tatum spoke to the media after Wednesday's game.

Nov 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after being called for a foul against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

On Wednesday evening, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in New York.

The Celtics won by a score of 139-114 to improve to 10-3 in their first 13 games.

All-Star forward Jayson Tatum led the way with 36 points, nine rebounds and ten assists while shooting 12/19 from the field and 5/6 from the three-point range in 35 minutes.

Via The Boston Celtics:

"JT: 36 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB
JB: 24 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST
PP: 23 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB

Big showing by this trio in last night's W 👏"

JT: 36 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB
JB: 24 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST
PP: 23 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB

Big showing by this trio in last night's W 👏 pic.twitter.com/O7tDNiFcGb

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 14, 2024

After the game, Tatum made a bold statement (h/t Justin Turpin of WEEI).

Tatum: "I think we've probably got the best bench in the league."

Jayson Tatum on Payton Pritchard:

“Payton is super important. He’s having the best start of his career. A lot of times, he changes the course of the game… That’s so important. It shows how valuable everybody on the team is… I think we’ve got the best bench in the league.” pic.twitter.com/vWtl7CvnDG

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) November 14, 2024

The Celtics have arguably the deepest team in the league.

Backup point guard Payton Pritchard is averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 47.6% from the field and 42.7% from the three-point range in 13 games.

Jayson Tatum says the #Celtics got the BEST BENCH in the #NBA:

"I think we’ve got the best bench in the league.”

📺 Full Interview: https://t.co/oglzRAyiNF
⚡️by @PrizePicks & @GameTime #Celtics #NBA pic.twitter.com/a811rzpSFr

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) November 14, 2024

The Celtics are second seed in the Eastern Conference.

They are an outstanding 7-1 in the eight games they have played on the road.

Following the Nets, the Celtics will play their next game on Saturday evening when they return home to host RJ Barrett and the Toronto Raptors in Boston.

Nov 13, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) loses control of the ball as Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (1) defends during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Tatum is in his eighth NBA season (all with the Celtics).

The former Duke star is coming off a season where he helped lead the franchise their first title in 16 years.