Inside The Celtics

Celtics React to Jayson Tatum's Historical Game 7 Performance: 'There's Nothing They Could Do'

Sunday, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth time in six years.

Bobby Krivitsky

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Sometimes, you want something so badly it becomes counterproductive. That's what happened to Jayson Tatum through three quarters in Game 6 in Philadelphia.

But after faring 1/13 through 36 minutes, the four-time All-Star broke through, igniting for 16 points in the final frame, extending the Celtics' season.

While his defensive contributions helped hold the Sixers to 86 points on their home floor, and his nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks are a testament to his all-around impact that night, he's fortunate his teammates picked up the scoring slack to keep the contest close while he searched for his rhythm.

Blessed with a chance to redeem himself, Tatum knew he had to switch his mindset back to what works best for him.

"Going into Game 6, I was too -- it sounds crazy to say I was too locked in," conveyed the two-time All-NBA First Team forward after Boston protected the parquet with a 112-88 win in Game 7.

"I was too tight. I was too (much) in my own head, thinking about what do I need to do, (and) how many points do I need to score; this is a big moment.

"And today, I was more myself. Yesterday, pregame, I was relaxed, laughing, (and) joking. And that's when I play my best, (is) when I'm having fun. At the end of the day, this is basketball; this is something I've been doing since I was a kid. Something I love to do. And just go out there and relax and have fun."

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, a more relaxed version of Tatum was dialed in from the opening tip, putting 11 points on the board in the first frame, repeatedly attacking downhill.

In the second quarter, he registered 14 points, leading the hosts to a 55-52 edge at halftime.

After the break, the Celtics' star turned into a human flamethrower. From switching to drop coverage to cycling through primary defenders, as the visitors spun the dial, hoping to cool him down, a scorching hot Tatum made light work of it all, including torching league MVP Joel Embiid.

The St. Louis native knocked down one three after another, engaging with the crowd throughout a 17-point period, where Boston outscored its guests 33-10, breaking the game open.

Tatum finished with 51 points, the most in a Game 7. It's the most anyone's scored in a playoff matchup without committing a turnover, per Stat Muse.

And by pairing that with 13 rebounds, also the most in Sunday's contest, he joins Larry Bird, John Havlicek, and Paul Pierce as the only Celtics to have a 40/10 game in the playoffs.

Afterward, he shared, "Being in another Game 7, being able to come back home in front of our fans, I was really excited, just for the moment, to come out here and play today."

Jaylen Brown expressed about Tatum's performance, "JT just got it going and get out of that man's way. He just got it rolling, and there's nothing they could do to stop (him). They started trying to double-team him, and that just gave open looks to other guys. And when JT's playing like that, we're gonna be extremely hard to beat. But way to step up, great performance by Jayson."

Referring to the latest release of the four-time All-Star's first signature sneaker, the Jordan Tatum 1's, Brown joked, "I think everybody should go buy some of them new JTs that he just dropped for sure. He did his thing tonight."

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

"After Game 6, he heard all the criticism, he heard all the talk, he knows he didn't play well, up to his standard," stated Marcus Smart in an interview with Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston. "He gets paid all the big bucks. Him and Jaylen are superstars, this is what they do, and he showed that today."

Head coach Joe Mazzulla conveyed that a message he tells Tatum is, "You're not defined by scoring in my book," adding, "When he plays a well-rounded game, our team is different, in my opinion. And credit to him for buying into that."

Mazzulla also spoke to the correlation between Tatum's high character, his even-keeled nature, and the individual and team success on the court he and Boston are experiencing, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth time in his first six years in the NBA.

"A guy that doesn't get too high or too low, (he) takes the game the way it comes, and he has ultimate trust in himself and in his teammates. And one of the biggest things I've always said is people talk about him, the player, but the person who he is, is a reflection of how he plays. He's very even-keeled. He has a trust and a loyalty, and a character about him. And when you play like that, and you live like that, I think it works out for you."

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Relationship with Celtics Fans: 'I Love Being Here'

Jaylen Brown Salutes TD Garden Crowd After Game 7: 'It Was Amazing'

Jayson Tatum Discusses Historic Game 7 Performance: 'That's When I Play My Best'

Here's What Stood Out in Game 7 Win vs. Sixers: Celtics Save Their Best Performance for When They Needed it Most

Celtics Praise Joe Mazzulla for Game 6 Adjustments That Helped Save Their Season

Celtics Discuss Jayson Tatum Rising to the Occasion, Forcing a Game 7

Here's What Stood Out in Game 6 Win vs. Sixers: Jayson Tatum's 16 Fourth Quarter Points Saves Celtics' Season

Jaylen Brown Discusses Whether Making an All-NBA Team Provides Clarity About His Future

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Earn All-NBA Honors; Here's What That Means for Them and the Celtics

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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