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Jayson Tatum Reacts To First-Career Ejection
The Boston Celtics have lost the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. This comes after a forgettable 109-94 loss to the New York Knicks, who extend their winning streak to 6.
It was a particularly frustrating night for Jayson Tatum. The reigning All-Star MVP shot 6-for-18 and went 1-for-9 from three-point range. He finished with a team-worst box plus-minus of -18.
In addition to a shooting slump, Tatum was given two technical fouls by officials at Madison Square Garden. This resulted in the first regular-season ejection of his career.
The first technical came after the MVP candidate landed a monstrous dunk. He felt that Isaiah Hartenstein fouled him during the play and expressed this to an official.
“The first technical came from the reaction from the dunk,” Tatum told NBC Sports Boston. “That one was tough because they literally guided me to the rim. Two hands on my back, that would have been scary, right?”
Tatum was sent to the locker room with nearly four minutes left in the game, after making a snarky comment about another possible missed call. The Celtics’ star believed he was fouled by Julius Randle during a three-point attempt.
"I just told them this is probably the best officiated game I've been a part of. I tried to give them a compliment, it didn't go over so well." said Tatum.
Further Reading
Former Celtic Defends Jayson Tatum After His First-Career Ejection
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Celtics' Shot Selection After Long-Range Struggles in Loss vs. Knicks
Joe Mazzulla's Message to the Celtics After Clinching Season Series vs. Sixers
