6) Jayson Tatum’s dagger three in overtime
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers had the Celtics on the ropes. In the final moments of regulation, some Jaylen Brown heroics brought Boston to overtime before Tatum took over and dominated.
Tatum had 10 points in OT, including a run of eight straight by himself. He ultimately buried the Pacers with a side-step three-pointer that put the Celtics up 127-123 with just 43 seconds to go.
JAYSON TATUM DRILLS THE 3!
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2024
He's got 8 PTS in OT... C's go up 4 with 42 seconds remaining in Game 1 🔥 https://t.co/szuUpO3C6X pic.twitter.com/5fPVKMCS1R
Tatum’s dagger three finished one of the best playoff overtime performances by a player in the last decade. JT scored the most overtime points in a postseason since 2021 and tied Jamal Murray and Norman Powell for the third-most in the last ten years.
Tatum finished the contest with 36 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. In the series, he averaged 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on 46.3% shooting.
C’s fans breathed a collective sigh of relief after Boston’s Game 1 escape. Without Tatum’s clutch three in OT, the Eastern Conference Finals could have gone much differently.