When Josh Hart finished inside to put the Knicks up 3 with 11.9 seconds left, and with Madison Square Garden bumping, the Knicks faithful started to naively believe this might finally be their moment in the sun against the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum, however, had other ideas. Tatum swerved around a Kristaps Porzingis screen, faked to the basket, then stepped back and buried a massive game-tying 3 over OG Anunoby with 2.9 seconds left.
“Goooood!” Kevin Harlan bellowed. “Got it!” Somewhere, Mike Gorman nods approvingly.
You know the rest. Tatum finished with 32, steering the Celtics to a thrilling 119-117 overtime triumph Tuesday night and a regular-season sweep over the Knicks.
Isaiah Thomas will always be the King of the Fourth, but Tatum has established himself as Big Deuce Dagger.
Tatum put on a show with his grandfather in the house, reminding every celebrity in attendance that he owns the city until further notice. With Jaylen Brown out late, Tatum took it to another gear and saved his best basketball for when it mattered most.
There was a point in his career where many criticized Tatum for his lack of execution in the clutch. Some of it was fair, some was unfair, but it existed. It was mostly just nitpicking, but it was a narrative no superstar who grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant desires.
Now, those questions have turned to answers, over and over again, as he continuously rises to the moment and puts his imprint on the final few minutes. It’s not about hitting every single shot; it’s about trusting himself, trusting his teammates and trusting the play to make the right read and generate the right look.
Tatum is doing that over and over again, and it’s a main reason why the Celtics appear poised to go back to back.
The shot in the fourth will garner the most attention, as it should, but Tatum’s buzzer-beater to end the third was also ridiculous.
He senses the double team, realizes he’s out of options and hits a fadeaway with a hand in his face.
Look at Mikal Bridges’ body language. He’s like, “Is this dude for real?”
Tatum’s killer instinct has hit a new level this year. Having the weight of that elusive championship off his shoulders has paid dividends in such a pure and natural way.
He no longer feels the pressure. Now, he applies the pressure.
He’s always been the guy. Now, he’s that dude.
He’s always wanted the ball in the defining moments. Now, he’s unstoppable when he gets it.
