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Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum was cracking jokes after getting his first career ejection

By Alex Barth February 28th

It seemed as though nothing was going right for the Boston Celtics Monday night in their 109-94 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. That included Jayson Tatum, who finished the game with just 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and 1-of-9 from three.

The frustration showed for Tatum throughout the game. He picked up his first technical foul arguing a call late in the third quarter. Then later in the game he took issue with what he thought was a foul on a three-point attempt, and continued to argue his case down the other end of the floor. For that he was assessed his second technical and with it an automatic ejection – the first ejection of his NBA career.

  • After the game, Tatum was asked about the interaction that led to his second technical, and the ejection. Based on his answer, he didn’t seem too bothered by it.

    The first one, no call. If you look, it was clearly a foul,” Tatum said. “And those are the ones that are tough. You get a tech for something that you were probably right about. The second one, I just told him, ‘this was probably the best officiated game I’ve been a part of.’ I tried to give him a compliment. Didn’t go over so well.”

    Tatum kept the jokes coming on Twitter after the game. He quote tweeted a clip of one of the plays in question, referencing a controversial non-call he was involved in against LeBron James and the Lakers last month.

  • Perhaps this ejection will be the turning point Tatum needs right now. In his three games since the All-Star break he’s struggled as a scorer, shooting 36.6 percent from the floor and 24.1 percent from three. Those numbers are down 10 and 11 percentage points respectively from his pace before the All-Star break.

    It might also help Tatum and the Celtics to play at home again. After a three-game road trip to begin their post-All-Star schedule, they’ll finally be back at TD Garden on Wednesday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coverage of that game can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Celtics Radio Network starting with pregame at 7 p.m. ET.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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