In a thrilling matchup at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 119-109 win. The spotlight was on Jayson Tatum, who made a remarkable return from a ruptured Achilles. Tatum, flirting with a triple-double, posted an impressive 19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams, also returning from a hamstring injury, shared his thoughts on Tatum's performance. "It's special.
SGA on playing at TD Garden: “Every time you play a Boston Celtics, you get a playoff feel. No matter what day it is. No matter who’s out there.
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They’re super well-coached. They have really good players... It’s a game that you see where you really are and they test you. We got… pic.twitter.com/9BG0gRrqXa
Hopefully, he stays healthy for the rest of the season," Williams remarked. He praised Tatum's ability to bounce back and perform at a high level despite not being at full strength.
"It's impressive to see him move and get his shot off like that."
Williams also discussed the challenges of playing under a minutes restriction, mentioning a post-game chat with Tatum. "It's hard when there's no flow. I've never checked into a game and not been sweating," he admitted, highlighting the unique adjustments required.
With nine games left in the Thunder's regular season, Williams aims to regain his rhythm before the playoffs. Having played in just 28 of Oklahoma City's 73 games this season, he's eager to make an impact. Meanwhile, Tatum has only appeared in nine games, making his performance even more noteworthy.
Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the intensity of facing the Celtics, likening it to a playoff atmosphere. "Playing Boston always feels like a postseason matchup," he said, commending their coaching and talent. He also praised Jaylen Brown's aggressive play, which saw him make 14 trips to the free-throw line.
The Celtics' victory snapped the Thunder's impressive 12-game winning streak, underscoring Boston's formidable presence at home. As both teams look ahead, the performances of Tatum and Williams will be crucial in shaping their postseason journeys.