Jayson Tatum shared his thoughts on new teammate Torrey Craig after the veteran forward made his debut for the Boston Celtics. Craig, who recently signed with Boston, played his first game with the team in their 116-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
Tatum, who assisted Craig’s first bucket as a Celtic, said the 34-year-old integrated well despite having no prior practice with the team. “So, kind of threw him in there on the fly. But, it’s a part of being a professional—staying ready,” Tatum said, via Daniel Donabedian.
The six-time All-Star noted that Craig brought energy off the bench, contributing on both ends of the floor. “Obviously, he’ll get better, more comfortable with us, and likewise, as the season progresses. But he gave us a spark off the bench, hit some threes, was active on the defensive end, and that’s what we expect from him,” Tatum added.
Craig finished the game with six points in limited minutes, knocking down two three-pointers while playing solid defense. The Celtics signed him as a free agent after he was waived by the Chicago Bulls on February 3.
Tatum led Boston with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, securing the team’s third consecutive victory. Kristaps Porzingis added 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting, while Derrick White chipped in 19 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
Boston built a 66-47 halftime lead, but the Spurs made a push in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 93-85 early in the fourth. The Celtics responded with a late 23-18 run to close out the game and improve to 39-16 on the season.
San Antonio, now 23-29, was led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 23 points and dished out five assists in his fifth game since being traded from Sacramento. Victor Wembanyama contributed 17 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks but struggled from three-point range, hitting just 1-of-6.
Stephon Castle provided a spark off the bench for the Spurs, scoring 20 points in 24 minutes. However, San Antonio struggled from beyond the arc, making just 9-of-39 (23.1%), while Boston converted 18-of-55 (32.7%) of its three-point attempts.
Tatum recorded his 19th 30-point game of the season, continuing his dominant campaign. He shot 12-of-25 from the field and controlled the glass with a game-high 14 rebounds.
Porzingis remained an efficient scoring threat, finishing with 29 points and six rebounds. White led Boston with nine assists, providing steady playmaking while anchoring the defense.
Boston’s depth also played a role in the victory. Payton Pritchard contributed 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Al Horford grabbed 10 rebounds despite struggling with his shot. Craig, in his Celtics debut, provided floor spacing and defensive activity.
The Celtics signed Craig to add depth at the forward position as they prepare for a playoff push. Before joining Boston, Craig averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in nine games for Chicago this season.
Craig, an eight-year NBA veteran, previously played for teams like the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. His experience and defensive versatility make him a valuable addition to a Celtics team looking to compete for another championship.
Boston currently holds the second seed in the Eastern Conference and continues to strengthen its roster for the postseason. Craig’s ability to defend multiple positions and stretch the floor adds another dimension to an already strong Celtics lineup.
