Tatum Leads Celtics To Overtime Win
Boston defeated Brooklyn 125-124 on a buzzer-beater, with Tatum setting a season high in free-throw attempts and committing zero turnovers.
By David Almasi ·
Jayson Tatum hit a mid-range jumper at the final buzzer to secure a 125-124 overtime victory for the Boston Celtics over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night at TD Garden.
The win came on the second night of a back-to-back, the first of the season for Boston. Tatum played 42 minutes and 19 seconds, six minutes more than any other player on the roster. He recorded a team-high 88 touches and 56 total passes while committing zero turnovers. His performance included eight assists that resulted in 17 assist points, accounting for 45.6 percent of the Celtics' total scoring output.
The Celtics had struggled with ball security during the first four games of the season. Tatum's clean game stood in contrast to that early trend. He also generated 22 free-throw attempts, an NBA-best total for a single game, and made 18 of those shots. In the previous three games, his free-throw attempts had been lower.
Tatum's passing changed the nature of Boston's offense. Seven of his eight assists led to two-point baskets. A key sequence occurred late in the fourth quarter when Tatum threw a pass to Derrick White through traffic. White finished an and-1 dunk before Noah Clowney fouled him. The Celtics subsequently allowed Brooklyn to force overtime.
Brooklyn rookie Mikel Brown lost his assignment on that play. Tatum delivered the ball to a spot that allowed White to finish at the rim. The Celtics held the lead going into overtime but nearly ceded the victory. Tatum's final shot ended the game in his favor.
Through four games, Tatum is tied for fifth in the NBA in assist points with 83. Trae Young leads the league with 101, followed by Tyrese Haliburton with 90, Jalen Johnson with 88, and Luka Doncic with 85. Tatum ranks ninth in potential assists with 56 and is tied for fifth in total assists with Cade Cunningham, who also has 32.
Tatum is 18 months removed from Achilles surgery. He returned to the lineup for this game and played a full workload. The Celtics' next opponent has not been specified in the source report.
