Jayson Tatum addressed legacy, team chemistry, and a reunion with a former teammate following the Boston Celtics’ 120-99 win over the Golden State Warriors on March 19 at TD Garden.
The All-Star forward finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, marking his third double-double since returning from Achilles surgery, as Boston secured its third straight victory.
Tatum opened by reflecting on the presence of the franchise legend Robert Parrish and the meaning behind it. “It was cool to see him. I got a chance to chat with him a bit during warm-ups before the game. Show my respect,” he said. “It’s always an honor to see the legends of the game and former players that paved the way for us as NBA players and obviously as Celtics.”
The forward emphasized how those moments connect past and present. “As a team and as fans in the arena, we love when former players come back to the games,” he added.
On his offensive rhythm since returning, the Boston star pointed to repetition and system fit. “As the games go on, you get more reps. You get more in the routine. You feel more and more comfortable each game. You just kind of play in the flow,” he said.
He also detailed the team’s offensive principles. “It all boils down to pace and respecting each other’s space. Depending on the matchups and who we have on the floor, we play at our strengths.”
Tatum highlighted the benefit of time away during recovery. “I had a lot of time off… the rest of my body got to heal up in a positive way,” he said. “That was one of the silver linings… the rest of my body got to catch up.”
The Celtics forward also discussed what it means to witness franchise milestones and imagine his own legacy. “It means everything,” he said. “Those guys dedicated a lot to the game of basketball to this organization… it’s a cool moment to see other people receive their flowers.”
Boston’s pick-and-roll efficiency was another focal point, particularly with Neemias Queta. “He’s really turned into an excellent screener,” Tatum said. “We can trust throwing the ball in the seams and finishing at the rim… it’s been cool to see his development.”
On Jaylen Brown reaching the top 10 in franchise scoring, Tatum credited consistency. “It just goes to show the dedication… the commitment that he’s made to his craft,” he said. “It’s just cool when you get rewarded for the work that you put in.”
The 28-year-old also reflected on facing former teammate Kristaps Porzingis. “It was cool, man. I missed a big fella,” he said. “Happy to see him healthy… those were some good times that we had.”
He added context to the reunion. “He’ll forever be a Celtic… being a big piece of why we won a championship,” Tatum said. “Every guy that was on that championship team, we bonded for life.”
