Jayson Tatum: Al Horford is the best teammate ever

Gary Washburn: Jayson Tatum: “Al Horford is the best teammate ever, just a consummate professional.” #Celtics #NBAFinals
Source: Twitter @GwashburnGlobe

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Mark Murphy @Murf56
Al Horford on letting more of his emotions show: “That’s fair. I just think it’s the playoffs, a lot of emotion into these games, a lot of emotions, and I feel like as we keep going along, it just keeps getting more intense. Yeah, just kind of letting some stuff out now.” – 8:55 PM Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
A @YahooSports exclusive with Celtics center Al Horford on individual who told him to start shooting 3s in his second year, why it took nine years, why he was concerned about reactions, and why he’s Warriors’ problem now. sports.yahoo.com/nba-finals-why… – 8:30 PM Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
The Warriors, who led by 12 going into the final quarter, completely combusted in the game’s closing minutes en route to a 12-point defeat, squandering a night on which Tatum wasn’t at … warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/3-observ… – 6:00 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Here’s Marcus Smart busting Horford’s balls for being delayed… Then a long video of a huddle where nothing really happens pic.twitter.com/2PU4y1ZRDn – 5:08 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jayson Tatum: “Al (Horford) is the best teammate ever, just a consummate professional.” #Celtics #NBAFinals – 4:55 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Tatum: Al is the best teammate ever – 4:55 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Tatum jokes Ime “is a much better coach than he was as a player. I think he knows that as well” – 4:52 PM A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
“When you’re a Celtic, the expectation is to win a championship.” – Al Horford – 4:46 PM Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Most Win Shares in the 2022 playoffs
5. Jayson Tatum: 2.1
4. Bam Adebayo: 2.2
3. Stephen Curry: 2.2
2. Al Horford: 2.7
1. JIMMY BUTLER: 3.8
He’s going to lead the playoffs in Win Shares without making the Finals – 2:35 PM Michael Gallagher @MikeSGallagher
Talking injuries, coach quotes, lineup combos, adjustments, Steph’s minutes, Poole’s rough Finals start, Jaylen Brown driving, Tatum’s passing, wide-open Al Horford, basically every player, bets to make and more in a stat-packed 3 Ball to preview Game 2!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/est… – 11:58 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I wanted to be with the Celtics specifically…I really prayed a lot about that specifically”
Al Horford is grateful to be in the Finals with the @Boston Celtics after his last few years with multiple teams
@TermineRadio | @Eddie Johnson | @Al Horford | #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/kQZwmIv0JM – 8:16 PM Todd Whitehead @CrumpledJumper
Last night – for the first time this postseason – 11 different players had 3 or more assists: Tatum (13), Brown (5), Curry (5), Green (5), Looney (5), Smart (4), Horford (3), Iguodala (3), Thompson (3), White (3), and Williams (3). pic.twitter.com/VqFpF0xHD3 – 7:49 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Anyone have the full defensive posession after Horford’s 3-pointer that made it 109-103 clipped? The whole posssession that ended with Draymond’s late-clock 3? – 6:25 PM Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
The Warriors, who led by 12 going into the final quarter, completely combusted in the game’s closing minutes en route to a 12-point defeat, squandering a night on which Tatum wasn’t at … warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/3-observ… – 4:00 PM Michael Gallagher @MikeSGallagher
Jayson Tatum’s 13 dimes accounted for 35 points in Game 1 (nine 3-pointers, four 2-pointers). He had 19 potential assists.
Most of ’em were #MakingTheRightPlay without much flair, but some sweet ones.
Here are his dimes from last night: pic.twitter.com/JWa3WRSVKi – 3:51 PM Alan Hahn @alanhahn
Warriors were beat by three role players – Horford, White and Smart – drilling 3s at a high rate. Like in Mavs series, Kerr is willing to bet they cant do it 4 times to beat them. Goal is the keep the star (Tatum) in check. That’s why Brown is the X factor. #DubNation #NBAFinals – 10:25 AM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
jayson tatum had a career-high 13 assists last night. a couple months ago i broke down why his evolution as a playmaker should scare the league: si.com/nba/2022/04/07… – 10:21 AM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
How about this hedge by Horford to take away what should have been open Curry 3 … followed by hedges by Tatum and White that take away any shot at all.
(even if Wiggins had shot, it would have been with Tatum closing on him) pic.twitter.com/WPg1SeMEic – 9:55 AM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
The @Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum dished out a postseason career-high 13 assists last night.
It’s the most assists ever recorded by a player in his NBA Finals debut:
13 – Tatum, 2022
12 – Isiah Thomas, 1988
12 – Michael Jordan, 1991
12 – John Stockton, 1997 pic.twitter.com/YWya7jlTWR – 9:51 AM Michael Dugat @mdug
Can you imagine the Mavs winning a deep playoff game where Luka went 3-17 from the floor, as Boston did with Tatum?
Can’t imagine the game even being remotely close. – 9:39 AM StatMuse @statmuse
Jayson Tatum Finals debut:
— 13 assists, the most ever in a Finals debut
— 3-17 shooting, the 2nd worst FG% ever in a Finals debut with that many shot attempts pic.twitter.com/Rou9ckop8b – 9:20 AM Matt Williams @StatsWilliams
Jayson Tatum assisted on 9 3-pointers in Game 1, the most by any player in a Finals game all-time.
The Celtics assisted on 20 3-pointers in Game 1, the most by any team in a Finals game all-time. – 9:05 AM StatMuse @statmuse
Good morning.
Jayson Tatum leads this playoffs in total points and total assists. pic.twitter.com/6M726DLrl3 – 9:00 AM Alan Hahn @alanhahn
What shouldn’t be overlooked in the #Celtics epic 4Q comeback win is that Tatum (13 ast) was a dominant playmaker despite 3/17 FG. Assisted on 35 points. Also, BOS now 17-2 when he records at least 7 assists. Major impact player who trusted his teammates. #NBAFinals – 7:49 AM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Jayson Tatum found the way to make his teammates happy in Game 1 vs the Warriors. He passed the ball. He assisted 35 points and he contributed 47 of 120 Celtics points. Leading proof! #NBAFinals #AllAbout18
sdna.gr/mpasket/972334… – 7:05 AM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
2022 NBA Finals Game 1 stories at @SdnaGr
Celtics 4th quarter: https://t.co/FvqGgMPf6O
Warriors-Celtics 5 observations: https://t.co/B8cE8ApSrE
Jayson Tatum’s playmaking: https://t.co/zeKJcEpOZ9
#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/vZBj9ptCB0 – 6:58 AM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
“The biggest thing is the advice that MJ gave Kobe: At the end of the day, the only thing that people are going to judge you on is if you get the job done or not.”
Jayson Tatum couldn’t score, so he set an NBA Finals assist record instead to get the win: theathletic.com/3347912/2022/0… – 3:39 AM Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Finally watching the game. All I saw on the timeline is how badly Jay Tatum played. Prime example of why you shouldn’t tie effectiveness to shot making. Tatum was great. Controlled every inch of that game in the fourth quarter – 3:29 AM Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
The Warriors, who led by 12 going into the final quarter, completely combusted in the game’s closing minutes en route to a 12-point defeat, squandering a night on which Tatum wasn’t at … warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/3-observ… – 12:56 AM Matt Steinmetz @SteinmetzNBA
Tatum impressive. Impacted game even though couldn’t make shot. 13 assists, just 2 TOs. And love he didn’t overshoot, with 17 shots in 42 minutes. – 12:50 AM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Jayson Tatum says the message to start the fourth was “we’ve been here before.” Jaylen Brown says “we’re battle tested … we know what it takes to win.” – 12:39 AM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum on Derrick White: “Derrick is such a smart basketball player. He could fit in anywhere. I’m glad we got him.” – 12:36 AM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum on his passing: “It’s as simple as; you draw two, find someone open. That’s all I was trying to do.” – 12:35 AM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum: “The message at the start of the fourth was: we’ve been here before. We know what it takes to overcome a deficit like that.” – 12:35 AM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum: “I won’t expect to shoot that bad again, but if we win, I’ll take it.’ – 12:34 AM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jayson Tatum: “I don’t expect to shoot that bad again, but if we win, I’ll take it.” #Celtics #Warriors – 12:33 AM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum on how he feels with the Celtics winning while he struggled shooting: “I feel great. I mean, we’re in the championship. All I was worried about was trying to get a win. And we did.” – 12:33 AM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Jasyon Tatum asked how he feels walking away from a bad shooting night: “Ecstatic, right? 40 points in the frouth quarter…We in the championship, we in the Finals. All I was worried about was getting the win and we did.” – 12:33 AM Jay King @ByJayKing
How does Jayson Tatum walk away from a game like that? “Ecstatic. … Bad shooting night, I just tried to impact the game in other ways. We’re in the championship. We’re in the finals. All I was worried about was trying to get a win. And we did.” – 12:33 AM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum on Ime Udoka challenging him to be more than a scorer: “He wanted me to be the best player I can be. We watched a lot of film to see where I could be better when I draw attention. Ime’s been great about challenging me and the whole group.” – 12:32 AM Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
-Steph Horford, Steph Smart & Steph White combine to hit 15 of 23 3’s.
-Jayson Tatum shoots 3-17 but has 13 assists.
-The team that played a Game 7 Sunday and flew from Miami to Boston to SF had more 4th quarter energy than the rested team.
Let’s check with the prognosticators. pic.twitter.com/rkrQTbKNfG – 12:28 AM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Warriors did hold Jayson Tatum to 12 points and 3-17 shooting. Tatum did have 13 assists. Tatum was 1-7 with Andrew Wiggins as primary defender. Was 0-5 off passes from Marcus Smart (In previous 3 rounds, Tatum shot 24-45 (53%) off Smart’s passes) per @ESPNStatsInfo – 12:28 AM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Marcus Smart on Jayson Tatum’s playmaking: “All year we’ve been grooming and preparing Jayson for these moments when teams are going to key in on you…He’s had a lot of practice at it and for us, it’s to just make sure he stays confident on it.” – 12:19 AM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Al Horford on Jayson Tatum: “It’s such a challenge for guys like him, those top players in the league that are expected to score, to play make, to defend, and Jayson does all those things. His playmaking has gotten better steadily and tonight it was just brilliant.” – 12:12 AM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
The Celtics had 12(!) assists in the fourth quarter.
Jaylen Brown (5) and Jayson Tatum (4) led the team in assists for the period. – 12:03 AM Dan Favale @danfavale
jayson tatum may have gone 3-of-17 in game 1 but his passing was absolutely massive pic.twitter.com/u77VTGDEUN – 12:01 AM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
This is the 5th game in Jayson Tatum’s career he has shot 3-17 or worse. Including tonight, he has had a dbl-dbl in 3 of them and a Triple-dbl in 1. To his credit, he found a way to help his team when he couldn’t make anything. – 11:55 PM Synergy Sports Tech @SynergySST
Jayson Tatum created or assisted on 38 points with his passes in Game 1 of the #NBAFinals. – 11:52 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Celtics 21-of-41 from 3 in Game 1 win at #Warriors.
This is with Jayson Tatum 1-of-5 on 3s (3-of-17 FGs) and Jaylen Brown 2-of-8 on 3s (10-of-23 FGs)
Al Horford 6-of-8 on 3s.
Derrick White 5-of-8 on 3s.
Marcus Smart 4-of-7 on 3s.
Payton Pritchard 2-of-3 on 3s.
#NBAFinals2022 pic.twitter.com/fqg0atT763 – 11:51 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka: “This is a confidence builder because we didn’t play our best at all.”
Udoka went on to talk about the poor rebounding early, the turnovers and added “I don’t Jayson Tatum is going to shoot that poorly again.” – 11:49 PM Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
The 4th quarter box score.
I don’t know what’s more surprising.
The Celtics going 9-12 from 3 or Jayson Tatum going scoreless as part of a 40-point quarter. pic.twitter.com/I6nukF6XNd – 11:47 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
What a comeback by the Celtics. A 3/17 scoring night for Tatum but his playmaking was outstanding. Massive Derrick White minutes in that fourth quarter. Dad energy. pic.twitter.com/Qy5IRAe7lx – 11:47 PM Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
Those who say ‘Horford and White won’t go 11-14 from 3 again’ are absolutely correct
But Tatum won’t go 3-17 on FG’s again either – 11:42 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka on Jayson Tatum’s passing in Game 1: “I’ve talked to him all year about impacting the game when his shot’s not falling. That’s what it was all about. He’s still defending. Still impacting the game on that end too.” – 11:40 PM CJ McCollum @CJMcCollum
Sheesh Celtics win with tatum shooting 3-17. I had them losing game 1 and winning the series. . Shocked. That fourth quarter was a masterpiece – 11:39 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Curry hits 7 3s
Tatum goes 3/17 FGs
Warriors led by 15 with 14 minutes left
Celtics steal homecourt anyway – 11:38 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Boston outscored Golden State 40-13 in the fourth quarter with zero points from Jayson Tatum – 11:37 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
You can’t say enough about Jayson Tatum basically becoming a prime playmaker tonight when his shot wasn’t falling. He was unbelievable as a passer tonight.
And the best part? He always bounces back with his shot after a bad shooting game. – 11:37 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were all a +27 in the 4th quarter.
+27 – 11:30 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics win 120-108. Lead Finals 1-0
Horford – 26 points
Brown – 24 points
White – 21 points
Smart – 18 points
Tatum – 13 assists
Celtics – 50.6% FGs
Celtics – 21-41 3Ps
Curry – 34 points
Wiggins – 20 points
Thompson – 15 points
GSW – 44.3% FGs
GSW – 19-45 3Ps
GSW – 14 TOs – 11:29 PM Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
If I told you Steph Curry would score 34 points and Jayson Tatum score 12 points (on 3-17 shooting), you prob wouldn’t have guessed this outcome… – 11:29 PM Scott Souza @Scott_Souza
Steph Curry & GS did everything they wanted to do against Jayson Tatum & Celtics for three full quarters … and still lost double-digits at home in Game 1. #NBAFinals2022 – 11:29 PM Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Losing the Jayson Tatum disaster game seems problematic for the Warriors – 11:29 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Jayson Tatum shot 3-17 tonight.
He had 13 assists, a career high. pic.twitter.com/NP7af90dLA – 11:28 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
An incredible 40-16 fourth quarter from the Celtics and they lead the NBA Finals. They hit some amazing shots, but this was a product of Tatum making great passing reads, Derrick White pushing the pace while hitting everything, and some incredible defense, as always. – 11:28 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Jayson Tatum made 1 basket in the last 3 quarters.
The Celtics won by 12. pic.twitter.com/ctR9EkhyyK – 11:28 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics take Game 1 over #Warriors 120-106 after a 40-16 4Q. Horford 26, Brown 24, White 21, Smart 18, Tatum 12; Curry 34 (13 after 1Q), Wiggins 20, Thompson 15, Porter 12. – 11:27 PM David Morrow @_DavidMorrow
Jayson Tatum shot 3-17 tonight.
The Celtics won by double digits.
Surreal. – 11:27 PM Chris Miller @cmillsnbcs
Wow!!!!! Boston out Warriored the Warriors in the fourth quarter. Respect to Tatum, shot not falling so he became a playmaker. 13 dimes. Young man is a special talent. #NBAFinals – 11:27 PM Dan Favale @danfavale
trailed by as many as 15. steph went kaboom in the first quarter. tatum shot 3-of-17.
truly an incredible win for the celtics—one of the most impressive, and unlikely, ever over these dubs. (non-2016 finals division.) – 11:27 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Celtics up 15 late in 4th with Jayson Tatum only scoring 12 points.
Wow. #NBAFinals – 11:26 PM Chris Grenham @chrisgrenham
If I told you this morning that Jayson Tatum was going to go 3-for-17, I’m going to go out on a limb and say you wouldn’t have had the Celtics winning by double digits. – 11:26 PM Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
I’ll admit it: Did not have Celtics winning by double digits with Jayson Tatum going 3-of-17 on the Bingo card. – 11:24 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Kudos to Tatum for continuing to make the right reads at the right time and not trying to force his way into the scoring column. Don’t think many young stars would do that in their first Finals trip. – 11:24 PM Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
Jayson Tatum played pretty badly, Jaylen Brown did so for three quarters, the defense gave up an uncharacteristically high number of open jumpers, and yet the Celtics won by double digits in truly deflating style. Those things won’t happen again. Be afraid, cause that was scary. – 11:24 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Jayson Tatum has more assists than points tonight, but he is having one of the most important games of his career. Knew the Warriors would box & 1 or straight blitz him tonight and he has been luring them where he wants and finding his teammates. 40-13 fourth quarter for Boston. – 11:23 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jayson Tatum has not scored in the 4Q. #Celtics #Warriors – 11:23 PM Scott Kushner @ScottDKushner
The Celtics are going to win by double digits with Jayson Tatum going 3/17 FG.
Didn’t see that coming. – 11:23 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Career-high 13 assists for Jayson Tatum. – 11:22 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
Boston’s response to that third quarter haymaker … with zero NBA Finals experience and Tatum struggling beyond words … can’t overstate how impressive this fourth quarter has been.
Golden State was 9-0 at home in the playoffs. – 11:22 PM Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
This Celtics team is a lot like the 2019 Raptors too. Horford/Gasol. Brown & Tatum/Siakam & Kawhi. Smart/Lowry. Extremely tough matchup. – 11:22 PM Jay King @ByJayKing
On a night his own shot hasn’t fallen, Jayson Tatum has set a career high with 13 assists. – 11:22 PM JD Shaw @JShawNBA
Jayson Tatum is shooting just 3-of-17 this game, but his commitment to becoming a better passer is a key reason why Boston made the Finals. He has 12 assists and only two turnovers tonight. – 11:19 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Playoff career-high 12 assists for Jayson Tatum – 11:19 PM Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Warriors lost some juice when Steph tried/was forced to do too much on his own. Celtics found their flow once Tatum stopped trying to do too much on his own. Hero ball is being inverted before our eyes. – 11:18 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
12 assists for Jayson Tatum.
That ties Tatum’s career-high for regular season or playoffs. – 11:18 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Golden State has to win the game that Tatum goes 3-for-17. – 11:18 PM Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
The looks Boston is creating are just so much better as of late. Goes back to that first quarter: Even tho Tatum’s struggled badly in trying to score it, he was facilitating looks for everyone else from the start. Every one else has made up for his poor shooting – 11:16 PM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Completely blown away by this Celtics comeback. The way it’s happening, not really much from Tatum, the Pritchard importance. The Finals are weird lol. Let’s do this – 11:16 PM Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Jayson Tatum only has 12 points and the Warriors are down by 6 with 3:47 to go – 11:15 PM Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
The Celtics just needed one of Tatum and Brown to start making shots they usually make to get back in the game. – 11:11 PM Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Jayson Tatum is 3-17 … and the Celtics lead on the road with 5 minutes left. – 11:11 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Tatum and Brown: 11-35 from the floor
Celtics getting outrebounded
Warriors have made 17 3’s.
Boston has cut the Golden State lead to 5, 92-87 with 9:35 to go in Game 1 – 11:03 PM Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Jaylen Brown hit his first 3 early in the fourth. Jayson Tatum and Brown are a combined 2-for-12 from 3 so far. But Celtics only down 92-87. – 11:01 PM Brad Townsend @townbrad
Jayson Tatum, much-of-the-time star, but too-often-still an enigma: 3-for-16. – 11:01 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
Dang, Tatum is even missing the wide open ones. – 11:01 PM Scott Kushner @ScottDKushner
Imagine if Jayson Tatum could make a shot. – 11:01 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tatum/Brown with 26 points on 31 shots through 3 quarters is bad, but getting outscored 23-9 on second chances is a bigger problem.
Tough enough to defend Golden State the first time around. Celtics aren’t finishing possessions. – 11:00 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jayson Tatum is getting his John Starks game in early. – 11:00 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Tatum is 3-16 right now. 1-6 from 3. Gross – 10:59 PM Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
After 3: Warriors 92, Celtics 80
-GSW 38-24 adv in the quarter
-BOS starting to sag a bit, and Tatum/Brown 9/31 FG, 1/10 3p
-This one is showing signs of pull-away potential – 10:57 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The Celtics other guys have done well.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have really struggled to find their shots. – 10:57 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Warriors lead 92-80 after three
Horford – 15 points
White – 15 points
Smart – 12 points
Tatum/Brown – 9-31 FGs
Celtics – 44.4% FGs
Celtics – 12-29 3Ps
Celtics – 12 TOs
Curry – 30 points
Wiggins – 20 points
Porter – 12 points
GSW – 44.4% FGs
GSW – 17-37 3Ps
GSW – 10 TOs – 10:57 PM Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Jayson Tatum vacillates between superstar and totally ordinary more than any supremely talented player I can remember. – 10:56 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics get pounded in 3Q (24-38), trail #Warriors 92-80. Horford 15, White 15, Brown 14, Tatum 12, Smart 12.
Tatum/Brown: 9-31 FG – 10:55 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
I feel like Jayson Tatum is due for one complete stinker in every series. So odd for a guy as talented as him. – 10:52 PM Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Wrote that Derrick White could be the X-factor to this series. He’s up to 13 points off the bench, one more than Jayson Tatum – 10:50 PM Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Dynamic Duo update:
Tatum/Brown 8-27 24 pts
Curry/Wiggins 18-31 50 pts
Second chance pts: GSW 21, Cs 7 – 10:48 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Tatum/Brown a combined 8-of-27 is certainly not what I would describe as it – 10:47 PM Carl Steward @stewardsfolly
Tatum is fabulous but after Jokic, Morant and Doncic he at least seems mortal. – 10:45 PM Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Tatum’s Euro move was incredible – 10:44 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
It’s a wonder Boston is even in the game with Tatum being 3 for 12. Gotta wake up – 10:44 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Warriors going 1/3/5 with Tatum making him get over the screen instead of Smart – 10:43 PM Brian Geltzeiler @BGeltzNBA
Warriors doing an excellent job on Tatum. Bringing so much smart late help on him that the less than ideal matchups that switching breeds are a lot less meaningful – 10:40 PM CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Haven’t heard Tatum’s name in like an hour. – 10:37 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tatum 2/11 FGs… I guess Game 1 didn’t fit the narrative to leave the armband on… – 10:34 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Combined 7-for-24 FG for Tatum and Brown. #Celtics #Warriors – 10:33 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Steph, Klay and Wiggins: 52 points. Tatum, Brown and Smart: 36 points. – 10:32 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
Tatum HAS to start scoring. Boston had no chance if he’s not giving them 25+ – 10:31 PM John Karalis @John_Karalis
Tatum should be realizing he has paths to get into the paint and attack more – 10:31 PM Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Yes, Tatum’s been good as a distributor, but the Celtics just need more than 2 for 10 from him. – 10:28 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Horford has to make a better pass to Tatum when he’s that open at the rim. That was way too soft. – 10:24 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Celtics have to feel GREAT being up at half with Tatum/Brown combining for a shaky 20 points on 22 shots… Tatum having 7 dimes without a turnover is massive – 10:16 PM Abby Chin @tvabby
#Celtics assisted on 16 of 21 first half FGs. That 76.2% assist percentage is the 3rd best in first half in 2022 playoffs, according to Dick Lipe.
And, Jayson Tatum with 7 dimes has only had more in a first half once in his career. – 10:13 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics lead 56-54 at the half
Brown – 12 points
Smart – 10 points
Tatum – 8/3/7
Horford/White – 8 points each
Celtics – 46.7% FGs
Celtics – 9-21 3Ps
Celtics – 7 TOs
Curry – 21 points
Porter – 9 points
Thompson/Wiggins – 8 points each
GSW – 45.7% FGs
GSW – 11-24 3Ps
GSW – 8 TOs – 10:10 PM Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Steph Curry 21 points (all in the first quarter). Otto Porter Jr. has nine points.
Both teams shooting 3-ball at high clip: 45.8% for Ws, 42.9% for Cs.
Jayson Tatum struggling from field at 2-for-8 but has seven assists. Jaylen Brown (12 points), Marcus Smart (10 points) for Cs. – 10:10 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Celtics lead #Warriors 56-54 at halftime. Brown 12, Smart 10, Tatum 8 (7 assists), Horford 8; Curry 21 (all in 1Q), Porter 9, Wiggins 8, Thompson 8. – 10:07 PM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Some notes for the 1st half
-Celtics are completely ready for war. From the very first moment.
-Jayson Tatum has the way to make his teammates happy
-Steph Curry was hot. But the Warriors need something more.
-Rebounds gonna dictate the game AND the whole series.
#NBAFinals – 10:07 PM Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Celtics caught a break that Tatum missed that layup. If it went in they weren’t calling that foul on Steph, but now it’s his third. – 10:05 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
I saw Jackie Moon in that arena just three months ago, and Tatum/Smart pretty much re-enacted a Semi-Pro possession … successfully – 9:56 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
jayson tatum has been pretty great reading the floor so far. 6 assists and 0 turnovers. – 9:53 PM Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron
Midway through the second quarter, the Warriors have held Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to six points apiece. Boston’s leading scorer is Derrick White with eight. Have a feeling Steve Kerr feels pretty good about that. – 9:52 PM Tom Westerholm @Tom_NBA
Tatum has six assists already. Take away that early airball for aesthetic purposes, and it’s hard to ask for a better start offensively. – 9:52 PM Aamir Simms @EarlShmitty_
Ain’t no way Tatum gone keep traveling when he get the ball 🤣 – 9:50 PM Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
6 assists already for Tatum. Nice feed to Robert Williams there. – 9:50 PM Ben Rohrbach @brohrbach
Celtics playing with fire riding that Tatum and four bench players lineup. – 9:45 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Tatum is making some outstanding reads.
Warriors on fire and Celtics are hanging in there because their offense has been pretty good. – 9:44 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Tatum has evolved so much as a playmaker for others, man. Been so fun to watch his growth there. – 9:43 PM Jonah Ballow @jonahballow
Tatum really has it all. The passing in these playoffs has been on point. – 9:43 PM Haralabos Voulgaris @haralabob
I actually think Porter can guard Tatum. Am I crazy? – 9:42 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Warriors lead 32-28 after one
Tatum – 6 points
Smart – 6 points
Horford – 5 points
White – 5 points
Celtics – 44% FGs
Celtics – 5-13 threes
Celtics – 2 TOs
Curry – 21 points
Wiggins – 6 points
Thompson – 5 points
Warriors – 48% FGs
Warriors – 7-13 threes
Warriors – 1 TO – 9:36 PM Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
For a quarter with Steph Curry scoring 21, Celtics down just 32-28 after 1. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each have six for Boston.
Passing pretty solid from both teams — eight assists on 12 buckets for Warriors, nine assists on 11 makes for Celtics. – 9:35 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Got major regular-season vibes from this “Tatum + 4 bench guys” lineup but Celtics making it work. – 9:34 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Daniel Theis and Payton Pritchard both in for Boston.
Both had fallen out of the rotation, for the most part, as the ECF went along.
Tatum back in too. – 9:31 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tatum and Brown are so in sync with each other that they both airmailed 3s from the same spot on the floor – 9:24 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
First subs:
White for Tatum
Grant for Rob
Poole for Green – 9:23 PM Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Derrick White and Grant Williams in. Tatum and RWilliams out. #Celtics #Warriors – 9:21 PM Zach Kram @zachkram
Starting Time Lord on Wiggins and Tatum on Draymond is a fascinating defensive strategy for Boston.
But I’m going to guess that leaving Steph Curry wide open for a walk-up 3-pointer wasn’t in the game plan. – 9:19 PM Scott Kushner @ScottDKushner
Tatum looks a bit rattled. – 9:16 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Klay Thompson has been annoying Jaylen Brown a lot so far. Wiggins has gotten the assignment on Tatum, but Klay holding his own against the Celtics’ other star so far – 9:13 PM CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Andrew Wiggins is guarding Jayson Tatum to start, and Klay Thompson is on Jaylen Brown. Celtics are hunting Kevon Looney on ball screens. – 9:12 PM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Celtics looking shaky in the opening minute or so. Tatum has shot it every time he’s touched it – 9:11 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
Tatum shot that thang straight out of bounds 💀 – 9:11 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Andrew Wiggins’ first contest on Jayson Tatum resulted in an airball. Kevon Looney contested on the first shot. – 9:10 PM Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
And Tatum airballs a 3 by a foot. Steph said first-time Game 1 nerves are real. – 9:10 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics starters for NBA Finals Game 1:
Robert Williams
Al Horford
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart
Warriors starters:
Kevon Looney
Draymond Green
Andrew Wiggins
Klay Thompson
Stephen Curry – 8:34 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Celtics at Warriors – Chase Center – June 2, 2022 – NBA Finals Game 1 Starters
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, Horford, R. Williams
Golden State – Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
OUT: Boston: Hauser Golden State: Wiseman pic.twitter.com/fKldLXbuHk – 8:34 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Adam Silver described Jayson Tatum as “an up-and-coming superstar.” – 8:02 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Jayson Tatum getting shots up ahead of Game 1 of his first NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/J8HSxqGABF – 7:44 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Celtics coach Ime Udoka on Jayson Tatum: “I never met a young at his age that takes care of his body the way he does.” – 7:31 PM James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Tatum is dropping 60 tonight. That’s a fit. – 6:59 PM Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
My @PrizePicks for Warriors-Celtics Game 1
Andrew Wiggins over 21.5 points + rebounds
Jordan Poole under 21.5 points + rebounds + assists
Steph Curry over 26.5 points
Derrick White over 8 points
Jayson Tatum under 26.5 points – 6:42 PM Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
Our friends at @FDSportsbook did a special @ringer Finals parlay boost for us
—Boston wins the 2022 title
—Tatum averages at least 25 PPG in the Finals
Boosted from +200 to +250 pic.twitter.com/bugF3rTDoD – 1:09 PM Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
“When a kid sees that a dream is real, it’s easier, but not easy, to chase that dream. I was glad that he was able to see that making the NBA was possible. I’m hoping he earns his award,”ex-NBA guard Larry Hughes on about godson, Celtics star Jayson Tatum. bit.ly/3aj1YJv – 12:30 PM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Column: Danny Ainge is gone but his fingerprints are all over the Celtics roster. On the eve of the Finals, Ainge talked to @SInow about the Tatum trade, Marcus Smart’s evolution and Brad Stevens work as a top exec https://t.co/4qGIzDLY34 pic.twitter.com/wHNneYDAq0 – 12:22 PM Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Will Steph Curry outscore Jayson Tatum? Make your predictions for Game 1 here! warriorswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-fina… – 12:06 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
gary payton ii can be very important in this series. he’s a capable defensive option on tatum/jaylen. on the other end he gives the celtics someone rob williams can drift off a bit – 11:27 AM NBA Math @NBA_Math
🗣NEW @HardwoodKnocks
📋 2022 NBA Finals Primer w/ @Kungu_NBA
🔘 Celtics O (23:53)
🔘 Jaylen (28:18)
🔘 Tatum (33:49)
🔘 Lineups (37:01)
🔘 Steph (42:08)
🔘 X-factors (54:55)
🎧 https://t.co/IjItQ40z6O
🍎 https://t.co/fFwIYK1x81
https://t.co/kkRmHXlsxu
FULL BREAKDOWN pic.twitter.com/tkUbjkPNSo – 11:04 AM Joe Vardon @joevardon
The Warriors were so good, it surprised Steph Curry. The Celtics were so bad, it gave Jayson Tatum doubt. Inside the Finals, w/ ⁦@Sam Amick⁩ theathletic.com/3345228/2022/0… – 9:41 AM StatMuse @statmuse
11 of the 14 top scorers this Finals were drafted by their team.
Jayson Tatum
Steph Curry
Jaylen Brown
Klay Thompson
Jordan Poole
Andrew Wiggins*
Marcus Smart
Al Horford*
Grant Williams
Draymond Green
Derrick White*
Robert Williams
Jonathan Kuminga
Kevon Looney
Homegrown Bowl. pic.twitter.com/4jkTznGgSc – 9:30 AM Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Here’s how the Warriors will try to keep Curry off Tatum, and some counters that the Celtics can use against that strategy.
Sound on: pic.twitter.com/1D0EtFJWXn – 9:13 AM Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Column: Danny Ainge is gone but his fingerprints are all over the Celtics roster. On the eve of the Finals, Ainge talked to @SInow about the Tatum trade, Marcus Smart’s evolution and Brad Stevens work as a top exec si.com/nba/2022/06/02… – 9:04 AM Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
The @tabcomau NBA TIP OFF show with @BenyamKidane, @ChrisAnstey13 and I is here to preview the NBA Finals!
We dove deep on the Celtics and Warriors, including how Jayson Tatum has potential for a big series.
FULL EPISODE ON THE FINALS HERE: https://t.co/21Km07FzV4 pic.twitter.com/SsDdQXA1Sb – 4:29 AM Mark Murphy @Murf56
Tatum on questioning himself: “I’ll be honest, for myself, there have been times where I questioned, am I the right person to kind of lead a group like this. You know, never like doubted myself, but just moments after some of those losses and the tougher parts of the season.” – 8:06 PM

More on this storyline

Tim Bontemps: Marcus Smart did his media session today wearing a shirt that said, “We Are BG,” and made a point of reiterating he and the Celtics are thinking of Brittney Griner, who remains detained in Russia, at the end of it. -via Twitter @TimBontemps / June 4, 2022 Jay King: Jaylen Brown: “Al has been waiting for this moment. He deserves this moment. He has earned this moment.” -via Twitter @ByJayKing / June 4, 2022 Tim Bontemps: Jayson Tatum, with a smile, on Ime Udoka: “He’s a much better coach than he was a basketball player, and I think he knows that.” -via Twitter @TimBontemps / June 4, 2022