Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Brown Salutes TD Garden Crowd After Game 7: 'It Was Amazing'
On the heels of the Celtics' 95-86 victory in Game 6 in Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown challenged the crowd at TD Garden.
"The energy in the Garden has been okay at best all playoffs," stated the All-NBA wing.
"Game 7, if you there, or if you not there, if you in your home, if you're watching at a bar, if you're watching down the street at a friend's house, I don't care, I need you to be up, I need you to come with the energy because we gonna need every bit of it. No excuses. We need everybody, so I'm calling you guys out. Let's make sure the Garden is ready to go."
Eager to head the call on Sunday, the crowd was electric from pregame through its celebration after Boston's 112-88 win. Even the Celtics' player introductions were far louder than they've been all season.
And when James Harden cheap-shotted Brown, hitting him in the face with his off-arm, earning a flagrant-1, it sparked a 6-0 burst by the hosts that was part of a 9-0 run and added more fuel to a frenzied crowd.
Then came the third-quarter bludgeoning. With Jayson Tatum going supernova, erupting for 17 of his 51 points, the most scored in a Game 7, and Boston's defense suffocating the Sixers' offense, the Celtics staged a 28-3 run -- yes, Patriots fans, you read that correctly -- leaving no doubt who would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
That 28-3 haymaker included Brown burying a three, then turning and blowing a kiss to the TD Garden faithful.
Post-game, the two-time All-Star, who finished with 25 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, shared his thoughts on the home crowd's performance.
"I called the Garden out last game and way to respond. The energy in the building was through the roof; it was amazing. Everybody that was in the building, anybody that was cheering for the Celtics, I feel like we could feel that energy tonight. And it definitely carried over. So, we're gonna definitely need some more of that going forward. That was fun. That was a great basketball environment."
Marcus Smart, who registered seven points, four assists, four rebounds, and of course, played an integral role in stifling Philadelphia's offense, also discussed the energy inside TD Garden on Sunday.
"Just as we expected: chaotic. It was so loud that I couldn't even bark commands to the guys some of the time. But we continued to find a way and there our sixth man tonight; we're gonna need them the rest of these playoffs."
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum Discusses Historic Game 7 Performance: 'That's When I Play My Best'
Celtics Praise Joe Mazzulla for Game 6 Adjustments That Helped Save Their Season
Celtics Discuss Jayson Tatum Rising to the Occasion, Forcing a Game 7
Jaylen Brown Discusses Whether Making an All-NBA Team Provides Clarity About His Future
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Earn All-NBA Honors; Here's What That Means for Them and the Celtics
