How Jayson Tatum Feels Heading Into Anticipated Celtics-Warriors Battle

It’s been nearly two months since USA Basketball defeated France to capture its fifth straight Olympic gold medal to put a close to a controversial summer-long run for Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum.

Tatum logged two DNPs under Team USA head coach Steve Kerr — after being named to the All-NBA First Team for the third consecutive year and signing a record-large $315 million extension with the Celtics. Kerr didn’t provide a sufficient response to the Tatum benching, hung the 26-year-old out to dry, and (unsurprisingly) got bailed out by future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry against France.

Kerr’s failure to utilize Tatum, a well-established top-tier superstar who led the championship-winning Celtics in points, rebounds and assists in the NBA Finals, gave the five-time All-Star some added motivational fuel heading into Opening Night. So far, the production has spoken for itself but Kerr’s TD Garden reception for Wednesday night’s Golden State Warriors trip to Boston is an expected lock. Tatum’s response performance is even more anticipated.

“I mean, yeah. We’re playing against Steph Curry and somebody that I’m close with and obviously, I’m close with Draymond Green,” Tatum said after Monday night’s win over the Atlanta Hawks, per CLNS Media. “So, I know it’s a Finals matchup from a few years ago so from that standpoint, yeah, getting to play against those guys — we’ve had a lot of battles over the last couple of years so I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

Brushing off Kerr’s existence doesn’t remove the implication that 19,000-plus Celtics fans are mindful of this week — and have been since the team’s schedule was released in August. The Warriors are off to a 6-1 start while the 7-1 Celtics look even hungrier than last season without the assistance of Kristaps Porzingis and the recent absence of Jaylen Brown, who due to a hip flexor injury won’t face Golden State, haven’t missed a beat. Tatum, entering his eighth career season in the league, is a major part of that.

Immediately after Boston raised its record-18th title banner and championship rings were distributed, Tatum made an example of the New York Knicks by dropping a 37-point, 10-assist double-double while shooting a mega-efficient 14-of-18 from the field. Tatum’s masterful performance was so stellar that Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla sat him for the entirety of the fourth quarter, trotting to a 1-0 start.

Tatum has averaged 30 points, ranking fourth in the NBA, with 7.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists, shooting 48.8% from the field and 35.5% from three across eight appearances. It’s easy to link Kerr as a direct reason for Tatum’s early season dominance, even if he’d never acknowledge it, but Wednesday will be Tatum’s first true test and shot at redemption. Expect Celtics teammates to rally around Tatum, especially coming off a solid 28-point showing versus the Hawks to end Boston’s four-game road trip.

“For him, it looks pretty easy,” Jrue Holiday said, per CLNS Media. “Just coming out, playing his game, being comfortable, being top-five player in the league like he is. He makes it look pretty easy and I think we just follow suit. He makes the game so much easier for everybody else because of his scoring ability and play-making ability.”

Tatum and Kerr meet for the second of two meetings this season on Jan. 20.