Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Sinks Heroic Game-Winner Vs. Raptors In OT

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum turned a disappointing end to regulation into a heroic bounce-back finish to seize a 126-123 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night — and it only took one shot.

Tatum’s second-half struggles snowballed, allowing the lowly Raptors, who’ve gone winless on the road through seven games this season, to rally late. Toronto went head-to-head in the fourth quarter, playing fearlessly against the reigning champion Celtics but with the final possession (in regulation), Tatum had a wide-open mid-range look — and missed.

Destiny, however, stood tall by Tatum’s side and gave the five-time All-Star a shot at redemption. Tatum’s déjà vu moment came as the clock ticked with 20 seconds left on the clock, and off the feed from Derrick White, Tatum sank a contested 29-foot game-winner to send Toronto packing and improve Boston’s record to 11-3.

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“Man, I missed so many shots in the second half, I was bound to hit one,” Tatum said moments after sealing the victory, as seen on NBC Sports Boston. “… Joe (Mazzulla) always challenges me to dominate. However that looks, it can look different any given night. Shots not always gonna fall but are you impacting the game? Are you impacting your teammates? That’s just what I try to do.”

Tatum shot 0-for-4 from the field in the third quarter and 0-for-1 in the fourth, resorting to facilitating in overtime. But of course, that can only impact winning for so long, especially on a night when the Celtics allowed 76 points in the paint. Nevertheless, Tatum — finishing with 24 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 42 minutes — threw on his hero’s cape and answered the call to action to avoid what could’ve been an ugly third loss at TD Garden.

Instead, Boston captured its second straight win and its second in overtime on the season.

“Basketball is a team sport,” Tatum said, per NBC Sports Boston. “We don’t win that championship last year without every single player on our team. And what we’re trying to do this year is even that much harder. We need everybody on every night whenever that number is called.”

Tatum and the Celtics will return to NBA Cup group stage action, hosting the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers (14-0) on Tuesday night.