It wasn't pretty, but they got the job done. That is the story of the Boston Celtics' spirited Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, forcing a Game 7 and putting them in position to replicate their 2022 second-round escape act. Game 6 was a slugfest defined by ugly turnovers and poor shooting, but in the end, it was Jayson Tatum who came alive and got the job done.

Through the first quarters, Tatum looked lifeless, and as a result, it looked like the Celtics were headed to a premature playoff exit. Tatum, entering the fourth quarter, had just three points on 1-13 shooting. In an elimination game, that kind of performance is simply inexcusable for someone who made the All-NBA First Team.

But clearly, something clicked during the intermission prior to the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum put up 16 of the Celtics' 24 fourth quarter points as they live to fight another day. And it sure looked like the trust Tatum's teammates had in him paid off big time, as they encouraged their star to keep on shooting, for his shots were going to fall sooner than later. And fall through the net indeed they did.

“I feel like he deserves it. He was playing the game the right way. Me and Malcolm went up to him and told him, ‘you know, you're making the right plays. You're trying to feed your teammates. The game will reward you for that,'” Robert Williams III said, per NBC Sports Boston.

Meanwhile, Malcolm Brogdon knows that stars rise to the occasion, and Jayson Tatum is as bright a star there is for the Celtics. Thus, he knows that he did not need to say much to help ignite Tatum's monster fourth quarter effort.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
A newspaper as the background, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on one side, a bunch of Boston Celtics fans on the other side with the teeth clenched emoji around them

Owen Crisafulli ·

In the middle, recent in-game photos of Erik Spoelstra and Joe Mazzulla. Have Spoelstra smiling/celebrating and Mazzulla looking upset. Behind Mazzulla, recent in-game photos of Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, looking frustrated/upset. Behind Spoelstra, recent in-game photos of Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin celebrating/ smiling/clapping.

Jack Winter ·

SEO title is: Shaquille O'Neal goes viral after perfect Heat-Celtics Game 2 prediction: 'Shaqstradamus'

Rexwell Villas ·

“He's not a guy that needs a lot of talking. He's a guy that's highly critical of himself — demands the highest level for himself. We know he's always gonna bounce back. He's a superstar. So he's gonna make shots when we need him to make shots,” Brogdon said.

The Celtics looked dead in the water. But now, thanks to Tatum, they have new life heading into a winner-take-all Game 7 back in TD Garden on Saturday.