Pelicans Scoop

Jayson Tatum's Game-Winner in Celtics vs Pelicans Goes Viral

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum drilled a game-winner against the New Orleans Pelicans

Logan Struck

Jan 25, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Jan 25, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Riding a four-game losing streak, the New Orleans Pelicans went into a huge matchup against the Boston Celtics with minimal confidence. Playing without stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram was certainly a setback for them, but the Pelicans managed to take the defending champions to the final buzzer.

After Pelicans veteran guard CJ McCollum drained a clutch floater with just 24 seconds remaining to tie it, Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum took matters into his own hands, drilling the game-winner with McCollum in his face.

The off-the-dribble contested midrange shot to win the game is automatically going into Tatum's career highlight tape, and the NBA world has already taken their reactions to social media.

Via NBA: "JAYSON TATUM FOR THE WIN

NAILS THE FADING MIDDY WITH 0.2 SECONDS LEFT!

CLUTCH. BUCKET. GETTER."

Via Hoop Central: "JAYSON TATUM GAME WINNER."

Via Underdog NBA: "JAYSON TATUM FOR THE WIN"

Tatum finished the night with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists, but no bucket as important or impressive as the final one. Co-star Jaylen Brown was equally as impressive on Friday, dropping a team-high 28 points on 11-18 shooting.

Despite the crushing loss, Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III was the best player on the floor against Boston. Murphy dropped 40 points, shooting 15-20 from the field and an insane 8-12 from beyond the arc.

While the loss was heartbreaking for the Pelicans and the home New Orleans crowd, it was a promising sign for the struggling franchise to have the defending champs on the ropes like that.

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Logan Struck
LOGAN STRUCK

Logan Struck is a writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's On SI since 2023

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