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Jayson Tatum put on a masterclass Tuesday, posting 37 points (8-of-11 from three-point range) and 10 assists in a 132-109 season-opening win over the New York Knicks.
On a night when the Celtics raised their 18th championship banner, Tatum helped Boston deliver a first-round knockout of the Knicks.
Boston led 43-24 after the first quarter thanks to 10 three-pointers (four from Tatum).
The C’s led 74-55 at the halftime break, with Tatum continuing his torrid pace.
Tatum and the C’s poured it on in the third, taking a 113-85 lead into the fourth.
Tatum didn’t even play the fourth quarter with the game’s result all but certain. The only thing in question was whether the Celtics could break the all-time record for most three-pointers made in a game.
Boston settled for the tie at 29 after missing its last 13 threes, but that didn’t matter considering the bold statement the team made in its title defense.
Tatum returned to the United States after the Summer Olympics with a gold medal, but he didn’t get much playing time after sitting two of the team’s six games in Paris due to a coach’s decision and seeing the court for an average of 17.8 minutes per contest. He scored just 21 points in four games.
Perhaps Tuesday’s performance was in part a result of motivation following this summer. Or maybe it’s Tatum’s MVP ambitions, which he stated this offseason.
Most likely, Tatum and the Celtics are hellbent on repeating as champions.
“Winning takes precedence over everything,” Tatum told Bobby Krivitsky of Boston Celtics before training camp.
“Winning a championship is most important; playing the right way. But it’s been done. It’s possible. You can play the right way, you can dominate the game, you can strive for a championship, and be an MVP of the league. So, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You can do both.”
Tatum also made clear to Celtics fans during the banner and ring ceremony that the championship window is wide open.
If Tatum plays even close to this level all season, the Celtics should the overwhelming frontrunners for banner No. 19. Until then, fans and analysts recognized a sensational game.
Tatum and the Celtics will now visit the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
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