Jayson Tatum was phenomenal, leading the way with 37 points and 14 rebounds. By his great performance, the Boston Celtics took a very important 107-98 win, putting them up 3-1 in the playoff series. Tatum demonstrated once again that he’s one of the best clutch performers in the game and was a force during the fourth quarter. He finished with 16 points and a perfect night at the foul line, going 14-for-14, with nine of those coming in a heart-stopping finale.
The match exploded at the TD Garden in Boston. True to form, Tatum dazzled fans with his scoring prowess, as he often did at Duke, while accounting for three assists and three steals. His playmaking ability and all-around shooting efficiency were key to leading that squad. Thanks to him, Boston finds itself on the cusp of moving to the second round of the playoffs. Though he was still recovering from a wrist injury which had him battling through pain, Tatum’s fight and determination was on full display.
Tatum’s new celly, which he first broke out in the previous couple games, was an apt metaphor for just how much swagger Tatum was playing with on Friday. He raised his hands above his head and held his right wrist as a symbolic gesture after making crucial plays. He praised Baylor Scheierman for assisting him in developing this iconic dance.
I was looking forward to that moment,” Tatum balled after the game. I felt great about our chances and didn’t doubt that we were going to work our way through it and make plays!
His clutch gene was on full display with his insane return to action these past couple of games. In Game 3, the Celtics were not only defeated but were destroyed. On the Celtics side, Tatum was unstoppable — with an incredible 36 points, including making all 12 of his free throws. His scoring and aggressiveness, a weapon for Boston throughout the regular season, have been essential as they’ve dealt with the physicality of the playoffs right now.
In his first mini-moment of the clutch on a tight game 4, Jaylen had his go-to on the bench with nine points on fan calls. His offensive production allowed Boston to stretch its lead during key stretches of the game.
“It’s not just me. Everybody made plays. So, we showed our competitive spirit. That was fun,” Tatum commented on the teamwork displayed during the match.
At one point, Tatum grimaced in pain from his injured right wrist — which he had wrapped heavily in protective tape. Yet, he continued forward, illustrating his extreme dedication to the franchise’s success.
“My team knows how serious it is, but it’s that time of year. We’re all sacrificing our bodies and going through things. It’s the playoffs,” he stated.
Tatum’s performance in Game 4 has not only put him at the forefront of the Celtics’ playoff run but has exemplified his growth as a player capable of leading his team in high-stakes moments. His ability to minutes on both sides of the floor will be pivotal for Boston. They’re not stopping there, they’re underway in pursuit of a third-straight and fourth-ever championship crown.
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