Jayson Tatum says he’s not at his best yet. He sure looked the part for Boston in a Game 3 win

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jayson Tatum let his final 3-pointer fly — a dagger, in NBA parlance — and the rip of the net could be heard on the other side of the court.

Tatum pounded his chest in a pure adrenaline rush moment for the big bucket that quieted the crowd, crushed the hopes of a 76ers’ late run, and was a crunch-time reminder that the six-time NBA All-Star is as close to elite as he was before a ruptured right Achilles tendon cost him the bulk of the regular season.

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Tatum cautioned after the Celtics beat the 76ers in Game 3 of their first-round series that, no, he’s not 100% back in his recovery.

Not yet, at least.

He could have fooled the Sixers.

With a little help from his longtime partner and fellow NBA champion Jaylen Brown, Tatum scored 25 points and played 42 minutes in the Celtics’ 108-100 win on Friday night for a 2-1 series lead. Tatum made 5 of 9 3-pointers and combined with Brown to score 19 of the Celtics’ 29 points in the fourth quarter.

“It may not seem like it because I’m back playing, but it was a very, very long time for me not to be doing what I love to do,” Tatum said. “I can’t stress it enough, the fact that I just get to put my uniform on and run out there with the team is a win for me.”

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Boston had a pretty big W, too, and rebounded from a surprise Game 2 loss at home that injected a dose of confidence into All-Star Tyrese Maxey, rookie standout VJ Edgecombe to rip back home court in the series headed into Sunday’s Game 4 in Philadelphia.

Tatum returned for the final 16 games of the regular season and averaged 21.8 points and shot 41% from the floor. He scored 25 points in Boston’s Game 1 rout and had 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in the Game 2 loss.

Celtics fans — Tatum raised his arm in celebration toward a small pocket of them near the visitor’s tunnel — want Tatum to be Tatum, like, now. Especially if the Celtics are going to win a second NBA title under coach Joe Mazzulla. Mazzulla, Tatum and the Celtics know there’s still a process to follow in this comeback and perfect health won’t be found in the first round of the playoffs.

Tatum…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jayson-tatum-says-hes-not-035433783.html

Author : DAN GELSTON

Publish date : 2026-04-25 03:54:00

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