Boston Celtics leading scorer Jayson Tatum only shot 3-17 from the field in Game 1 vs. the Golden State Warriors, but still was able to dish out 13 assists and also play some solid defense.

Here’s Celtics head coach Ime Udoka during postgame on Tatum’s improved passing and defense.

(Via CLNS Media):

“We’ve talked about it throughout the year and I’ve talked to him at length about impacting the game when he’s not having his best offensive night. So, he did that tonight. Obviously, going 3-17, that’s usually not going to happen. What he did well and did early was get others involved. 7 of 9 assists pretty early in the game, finished with 13, and the shots not falling, he still attracts a good amount of attention, made the right plays. I love his growth and progression in those areas, where he’s still guarding on the defensive end, still getting others involved, not pouting about his shots, and trying to play through some mistakes and physicality they were playing with him. When they went a box-and-one on him to try to take him out, it made it tough at times, but that’s why we’re a team. We don’t rely on one guy. You saw others step up tonight.”