Jayson Tatum hit the go-ahead shot with 1.3 seconds left on the clock to lift the Boston Celtics to a104-102 home victory against the New York Knicks this past Friday.
Friday night, Boston Celtics fans were filled with glee as Jayson Tatum hit a contested jumper to secure a 104-102 victory over Atlantic Division rival, the New York Knicks. The play call from coach Brad Stevens is the exact same as the final play of a Celtics game last year, a 105-103 loss to the Orlando Magic. On that play, Gordon Hayward inbounded the ball to Tatum on the baseline with 2.9 seconds left.
He then created separation and took a 20-foot fade away for the tie, only catching back-iron. Then Celtics superstar point guard Kyrie Irving was visually irate with Hayward for not getting him the inbound, causing further tension in Boston’s locker room.
You can find the play here:
As you can see, Irving was extremely distraught directly after the shot attempt, putting his hands up in the hair and scolding Hayward for his decision. He made a controversial statement, saying “The young guys don’t know what it takes to be a championship level team. What it takes every day.”
This only added onto the tension shown throughout the year between Irving and his teammates, ultimately leading to his departure from the Boston Celtics to the Brooklyn Nets this past offseason.
On that play, Kyrie was in the backcourt, getting ready for a running start to take the ball and make a play. Against the Knicks, Kemba Walker was in the same position, yet in-bounder Marcus Smart decided once again to go back to Tatum on the baseline.
This time, Tatum delivered. Hitting the shot over rookie sensation R.J. Barrett, Tatum gave the Celtics a much needed victory after a surprisingly hard-fought contest.
Alongside Tatum, who scored 24 points, Kemba pitched in 33 of his own with Hayward contributing 13.
After Tatum missed the same shot ten months ago, coach Stevens did not simply scrap the play because it didn’t work or the scrutiny that it received from Irving. He trusted his players to execute the play, and they did just that.
Even if he were to miss the shot again, Kemba Walker wouldn’t have been upset at Tatum for taking the last shot. Stevens’ philosophy has always been getting the best shot, not necessarily getting the ball to the team’s best player.
This season, it is easy for fans to see how different and more enjoyable this team is, when you just look at their interactions off the court. We see Marcus Smart pranking rookie Romeo Langford at Chipotle, along with all the players going out to the movies as a team.
Coach Stevens, along with newcomer Kemba Walker, lead a positive locker room atmosphere, something that the Celtics didn’t have throughout their disappointing 2018-19 season.
The Boston Celtics’ 2019-2020 season will not be a repeat of last year, showcased by Tatum’s game-winner on Friday night.