Earlier in the day, Boston Celtics fans were viciously booing their team as they headed into the locker room at halftime with a huge deficit against the San Antonio Spurs. After a horrid first-half performance, Boston took a complete u-turn in the second half with Jayson Tatum leading the charge for what turned out to be a tremendous comeback win by Boston.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens admitted that he was extremely unhappy with how his team played in the first two quarters, but at the end of the day, he had nothing but praise for Tatum's career night:
Brad Stevens said he told the Celtics players at halftime he’s never been booed at TD Garden without his team deserving it. Said his daughter left at halftime. There was no reason to stay.
“But she missed a good one.”
Sure did.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 1, 2021
Brad Stevens: “Tatum was amazing, as you know. And we needed every one of those 60 points.”
Stevens said to be candid, he was “pissed” early. “I guess I’m dual emotions right now. … That was ridiculous how we started today.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 1, 2021
After being outscored by the Spurs 77-48 in the first half, the Celtics came out firing after the break. Stevens must have said something to fire up his men as they came in as a different team in the second half.
Boston ended up scoring 80 points in the third and fourth quarters while holding the Spurs to just 51 points. The game needed an extra period and the Celtics eventually emerged with the win, 143-140. This was thanks in large part to Jayson Tatum and what was an absolutely memorable performance from the Boston superstar.
FINAL SCORE: 143-140, Celtics
Jayson Tatum ties Larry Bird’s single-game franchise scoring record with 60 points. Aaron Nesmith is huge off the bench. Celtics come back from down 32 points, the third-biggest comeback of the last 35 years.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 1, 2021
Tatum finished with 60 points on 20-of-37 shooting to go along with five triples, eight rebounds, five assists, a block, and zero turnovers in 45 minutes of action. It goes without saying that the Celtics would have suffered an embarrassing defeat had it not been for Tatum's heroics. Boston just showed their mettle in this one as they came back from what clearly looked like an insurmountable lead.
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