Down 18 factors with 8:25 left to go within the fourth quarter, the Boston Celtics appeared accomplished. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had performed a near-perfect recreation all night time, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was utterly dominant, and the Celtics might barely make a layup.
From that time on, Boston went on a 33-19 run to shut the sport, bringing themselves inside hanging distance. A recreation that was wholly out of attain was a two-possession contest inside six minutes.
And on an evening when Jaylen Brown failed to seek out his footing, it was Jayson Tatum who stepped up and led the crew in a manner he hasn’t in weeks.
For the previous few weeks, Tatum’s shot choice has been referred to as into query at occasions. His pull-up threes have price the Celtics in large moments, and of the 16 gamers who’ve shot no less than 100 of them this season, he’s the one one taking pictures beneath 30% (29.7%).
Towards the Thunder, Tatum put his shot choice apart in favor of appearing on the Celtics’ offensive hub — a task he’s proven flashes of getting again to in current wins over the LA Clippers and Detroit Pistons however hadn’t totally recommitted to.
Slightly than settling for big-swing photographs early-on, Tatum discovered his teammates. As an alternative of making an attempt to instantly pull-up from three to get in a rhythm, he let the ball discover him inside the move of the offense. And when it got here time for him to step up within the clutch, that’s precisely what he did.
Within the fourth quarter towards Oklahoma Metropolis, Tatum put up eight factors, three rebounds (together with two on the offensive finish), and 4 assists whereas taking pictures 3-of-6 from the sector. He persistently created area for his teammates to work and made the fitting learn.
With simply over 40 seconds left within the recreation, Tatum got here off a brush display screen from Kristaps Porzingis, received two Thunder defenders to point out, and located Derrick White within the nook for an enormous three.
Then, with six seconds to go, Tatum drove the lane, brought about three Oklahoma Metropolis gamers to break down, and located Porzingis within the nook for a protracted two. And if it weren’t for Porzingis’ lengthy ft, it could have been a 3 to carry the Celtics inside two factors.
The 2 largest photographs of the sport had been made by White and Porzingis, however they had been created by Tatum.
However maybe extra vital was Tatum’s work on the opposite finish of the courtroom, as when the Celtics wanted stops essentially the most, he was the one who stepped up and guard Gilgeous-Alexander. And he did it to perfection.
Via the primary three quarters of the sport, Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 factors on 14-of-19 taking pictures from the sector and 3-of-4 taking pictures from deep.
Within the fourth quarter, he didn’t make a area purpose.
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams stepped up when the Thunder wanted them most, however Tatum made certain that Gilgeous-Alexander wouldn’t be the one to beat the Celtics. He was Boston’s finest participant on offense and on protection, and that’s not a activity many superstars are able to taking over.
Tatum received hit with a tricky case of the December blues. His three-point share was manner down from early within the season, and it felt as if his selections on offense had been hurting the crew at occasions. Tuesday night time noticed him flip the script.
The Celtics might have misplaced towards the Thunder, however Tatum’s decision-making utterly reverted to what it’s been when he’s at his finest. He managed the sport on offense, was aggressive driving to the basket, and shut down among the finest guards within the league when it mattered most.
Whatever the outcome, Tatum’s play shouldn’t go unnoticed, and it’s a terrific signal for the Celtics shifting ahead.
