Inside The Celtics

Here's How Jayson Tatum Did in 2024 Paris Olympics Debut

Bobby Krivitsky

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Jayson Tatum (10) looks on in the third quarter against Canada in the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Jayson Tatum (10) looks on in the third quarter against Canada in the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports / Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
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After spending Sunday's 110-84 win over Serbia glued to the bench, Steve Kerr declared on Monday, "Jayson (Tatum) will play" on Wednesday against South Sudan. "We're going to need him."

Not that it was ever in doubt, but the United States men's basketball team's head coach kept his word, inserting the Celtics star into the starting lineup.

Tatum joined LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Anthony Davis in the first unit.

While four points on 2/4 shooting is a far cry from his NBA production, the five-time All-Star impacted the game in other ways, including grabbing five rebounds, two extending possessions, dishing out a pair of assists, and hustling back for a transition block at the rim.

As Kerr tinkers with his rotation, Tatum's all-around productivity in his 17:10 of floor time in Team USA's 103-86 victory vs. South Sudan reinforced that it's worth finding minutes for the three-time All-NBA First Team selection.

Furthermore, Wednesday was the first chance for Tatum to convert getting benched for the world to see into fuel to help propel him.

If letting Kerr's decision roll off his back is best for him, then that's the right path for the 26-year-old wing. But there's always another level to reach, and using this as motivation throughout the remainder of the Olympics and beyond could help an ascending star entering the peak of his powers in his quest for more championships and face of the league status as he builds his legacy.

Further Reading

Jrue Holiday, Derrick White Discuss Team USA's Opening Olympic Win

Steve Kerr Explains Benching Jayson Tatum in Team USA's Win vs. Serbia

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Summer League Struggles Offer Valuable Lessons to Jordan Walsh

D.J. MacLeay Shares How Baylor Scheierman Impressed Him in Celtics Win vs. Lakers

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

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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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