Jayson Tatum Pinpoints Root of Celtics’ Decisive Loss to Clippers

Jayson Tatum registered 21 points and 11 rebounds in the Celtics' 115-96 loss to the Clippers.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers had TD Garden booing for much of Saturday night, destroying the Boston Celtics for the latter's second home loss, 115-96. Los Angeles was up nearly 40 in the third quarter, with the Clippers remaining red-hot.

Boston's starters outside of Jayson Tatum shot 5-37, as he and Luke Kornet seemed to be the only two Celtics providing energy on both ends. Tatum had 21 points and 11 rebounds on 8-18 shooting to lead the Celtics on an off night, converting on just 36 percent of their attempts from the field, including 25 percent from beyond the arc.

"We felt like we were getting good looks, and we just didn't really shoot the ball well," Tatum said post-game. "Some of our possessions could have been better, but it was just a tough night for us."

The Celtics were allowing the Clippers to get out and run on the break and get to their spots at their best, let alone the run-outs they gave up.

"Unfortunately, we kind of let our offense affect our defense, and they got a lot of leak outs and easy ones in transition."

Home losses have been so uncommon for Boston for a long time now. The 19-point loss to the Clippers was their largest regular season loss at TD Garden since Nov. 24, 2021, per Celtics' senior writer, Taylor Snow. The C's were routed 123–104 by the Kevin Durant and James Harden-led Brooklyn Nets.

It does not get any easier for the Celtics, as they now enter a week filled with a back-to-back with the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers making their trip to Boston.

Further Reading

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Ime Udoka Assesses Tatum and Brown's Growth Since Coaching Them: 'A Lot of Potential That I Haven't Tapped Into'

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