Jayson Tatum Says Celtics Have Learned from Last Season's Mistakes

In their first chance to prove the quality of its opponent won't dictate its effort this season, the Celtics never trailed in their 126-107 win over the Wizards.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics started Monday night's 126-107 win over the Washington Wizards 6/7, producing eight of their first 13 points at the basket.

It helped them build an early lead they never relinquished. The visitors entered the second quarter with a 42-19 advantage, went up by as much as 37, and never trailed at any point.

Steal ➡️ JT flush 💪

Stream the game now: https://t.co/lmVhqRzWcR #BOSvsWSH #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/xX3UroeLJZ

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 31, 2023

It's one game and only the third of their 2023-24 campaign. But last season, the Celtics tended to play down to .500 or worse competition. A common theme in losses to teams fitting that description was spending the contest jacking up threes, often with minimal ball movement or attempts to get downhill and play inside-outside basketball to create higher quality and in-rhythm shots.

Their long-range struggles fueled the opposition's offense and often took from their focus, effort, and physicality on defense. It also typically didn't inspire more of an attempt to attack the basket.

But Monday night in the nation's capital, Boston was aggressive from the opening tip and put together a dominant display that included Jaylen Brown, who finished with a game-high 36 points, and Jayson Tatum, who finished with 33, combining for 69 in three quarters. With the visitors playing lockdown defense, its All-NBA wing tandem nearly matched the Wizards, who they held to 75 points through the first 36 minutes.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) against the Washington Wizards.

After the win, Brown expressed, "I think we just came out and played. It didn't matter who was on the floor; it's about us."

The two-time All-Star later voiced, "We've got to run through the finish line. Nights like tonight, where it's easy to take your foot off the gas, but if you want to do what you say you want to do, we've got to come out and play the game the right way, have the right mentality, have the right mindset, and take care of business."

Echoing that sentiment, Tatum said the Celtics, who have also reshaped their roster's core with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, have learned from last season's mistakes.

"Some would say we learned from our mistakes from last year"

Thank you @tvabby for asking the follow-up question we were all thinking 😂 pic.twitter.com/hDA6vSpWTl

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 31, 2023

While discussing if there's been a change in mentality, the two-time All-NBA First Team selection stated, "We've been extremely close these last two years, so we're just trying to do everything we can to get over that hump, and we're on a good track."

Further Reading

After Dominant Display vs. Wizards, Celtics Discuss Not Playing Down to Competition

Refusing to Play Down to Their Competition, Celtics Cruise to Victory in Nation's Capital

Oshae Brissett Shines in Celtics Win vs. Heat: 'He Changed the Game'

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Jaylen Brown Teams with Johnny Cupcakes to Give Back to Boston

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

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