PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 15: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Celtics defeated the Nets at the buzzer in Game 1. A Jayson Tatum game winner stole the show.
Marcus Smart made the play, of course, as he very well could’ve taken a final shot himself while surrounded by Nets defenders.
Instead, Smart made…the smart play (forgive the pun) and passed to the Celtics best player and MVP candidate Jayson Tatum. The All-Star Tatum combined a nifty spin with an easy lay-in to steal Game 1 from the Nets as time expired.
As great as Kyrie played down the stretch — and as much as he wanted to stick it to Boston fans with a win on their floor to start the series — the C’s take a 1-0 lead into Game 2. Expect this to be one hell of a first-round matchup.
Jayson Tatum game winner
Tatum’s game winner will live in Boston sports lore for years, especially considering how great Irving was in the fourth quarter, almost single-handedly bringing the Nets back from the dead. Brooklyn thought they had a victory in hand after Kevin Durant’s lucky baseline bucket, and Irving’s ridiculous three-pointer with under two minutes to go.
Unfortunately for the Nets, a Game 1 win wasn’t in the cards. It’s shaping up to be a long series. Should Brooklyn fall short, this one will sting even more.