Jayson Tatum emphasized the Celtics’ ability to adapt in Tuesday’s 113-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets. “We just switched some matchups. LaMelo is playing super well… it’s about managing the game, changing things up,” Tatum said, highlighting defensive adjustments that fueled Boston’s late-game run. He added, “I think rebounding really helped… limiting them to one shot.”
Tatum spoke on the team’s confidence during in-game adjustments. “That’s always been a thing… you want to be a really good team, it’s never going to go exactly how you plan. You’ve got to make adjustments on the fly,” he explained.
Reflecting on his rehab and preparation for returning to action, Tatum recalled, “It was just part of the progression… started with three on three and four on four… we just kind of continued to progress from there.” He described the scrimmages leading up to his return as enjoyable: “I just felt a little bit better each scrimmage as we went on.”
Tatum praised Jordan Walsh’s energy impact against the Hornets. “Being ready… when your number is called… crash a glass, defensive rebound, hit an open shot… he definitely changed the energy of the game,” he said.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s matchup at Madison Square Garden, Tatum acknowledged mixed emotions. “I’m not thrilled to go back and play there… last time I played there, obviously it was a traumatic experience for me… but it’s part of it. I decided to come back and play,” he stated.
When asked if facing the Knicks in the regular season helps prepare for a potential playoff matchup, he added, “I’ve played in every arena a handful of times, so it wouldn’t make the difference to me. But might as well get it out of the way now.”
Tatum also reflected on Boston’s recent form, noting the team has won 11 of 13 since his return from injury. “Just ramping up at the right time… post All-Star break is pivotal… we’ve been playing extremely well going into the playoffs,” he said.
In Tuesday’s game, Tatum scored 23 points while Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 35. Boston overcame an 11-point halftime deficit, outscoring Charlotte 35-26 in the third quarter and limiting the Hornets to 15 in the fourth. LaMelo Ball recorded 36 points for Charlotte, his second consecutive 30-point outing.
With the win, the Celtics hold a 53-25 record, solidifying the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and improving to 2-1 in the season series against Charlotte. Boston will travel to face the Knicks on Thursday, a matchup Tatum said he’s approaching with resolve.
