The Boston Celtics had been crushed in a shock defeat to the Orlando Magic of their most up-to-date sport and the absence of 1 star was clearly felt.
Regardless of the groups solely being separated by two spots within the Jap Convention, Celtics second and Magic fourth, the highway facet had been the massive favourites heading into Florida, regardless of some latest patchy type.
The Celtics nonetheless could be dealt a serious early blow with star man and potential MVP Jayson Tatum being dominated out of the sport by means of sickness. He had been named within the sides beginning lineup.
Tatum’s absence could be felt offensively with the facet dropping a season-low 104 factors within the 108-104 defeat.
Kristaps Porzingis didn’t fill the void left by Tatum as he scored simply 17 factors. Al Horford lately suggested the Latvian on how he may help the Celtics facet.
One man who did attempt to carry the Celtics workforce to success nonetheless was Jaylen Brown. He scored 35 factors and added 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Whereas the lack of somebody with the standard of Tatum is all the time going to be fiercely felt by the Celtics, Brown confirmed that he can step up when it issues.
Regardless of the loss his efficiency was a standout and it highlights how he can function on the highest degree even with out Tatum on the courtroom.
Brown was a way off his career-best points-scoring sport which got here in opposition to the Magic in 2022 the place he scored 50 factors however he outscored anybody else on the pitch in opposition to the Magic by 15 factors.
After the sport, Jaylen Brown was requested in regards to the influence of Tatum being a late withdrawal because of sickness and the way it impacted his sport.
He informed reporters: “Erm nothing, It simply allowed me to be extra aggressive and cozy. I might’ve preferred to get to the foul line much more, utilizing my physicality and aggression, however tonight, on the highway, it simply wasn’t the case. I’m adjusting to that. Being extra bodily.”
Brown went on to elucidate how Tatum performs an enormous half within the workforce’s offensive work however felt the facet carried out effectively at phases with out their star.
“However clearly, JT [Jayson Tatum] is an enormous a part of our offense, however I assumed we acquired off to an amazing begin within the first half; the ball was transferring, we performed effectively.
“Within the second half, we simply didn’t meet the extent of physicality that we have to in sure spots. So, we gotta be higher in that regard.”
Whereas one man doesn’t create a complete workforce, a playmaker like Tatum actually helps the general stability and construction of the Celtics facet.
The Celtics have a robust roster and the absence of Tatum, regardless of not being preferrred, isn’t the top of the world with Porzingis and Brown on the courtroom.
That being mentioned the facet has a a lot poorer win document when they’re with out Tatum. Their document with out the five-time NBA All-Star stands at 23-21, fairly low for a facet that frequently runs deep into the playoffs.
To offer the Tatum quantity some perspective the facet is 69-32 with out Brown, some distinction.
It seems the Celtics are starting to discover ways to play with out Tatum although, if you happen to low cost the Magic show, because the facet is 8-1 with out Tatum for the reason that begin of final season.
It’s clear that each Brown and Tatum are essential items within the Celtics’ group and having them each on the pitch collectively can solely be helpful.
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