Jayson Tatum was ecstatic as he watched the confetti rain down at TD Garden after the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games to win the NBA Finals on Monday night. During his post-game interview, ESPN asked Tatum how the team managed to overcome doubts and criticism about their ability to win the championship. Tatum responded by taking a dig at the critics, emphasizing the resilience of the team.
“We have a resilient group,” Tatum said. “We’ve been through a lot as a team over the last couple years – over my seven years. What are they going to say now?”
Tatum’s question was a direct response to the skeptics who doubted his and his teammates’ abilities to win a championship despite their talent. The Celtics had not won an NBA title since the 2007-08 season, despite making it to the Finals twice since then. In the previous two seasons, Boston had the best record in the Eastern Conference but fell short in the Finals and Conference Finals.
This year, however, the Celtics dominated their opponents, including the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers, before defeating the Mavericks in the Finals. Tatum expressed his gratitude to the fans and the team for their hard work throughout the season.
Despite facing criticism in the past for his performance in the postseason, Tatum stepped up in the Finals, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. Although Jaylen Brown was named the Finals MVP, Tatum’s contributions were crucial to the team’s success.
In Game 5, Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, securing the victory and bringing the championship back to Boston. The win marked the Celtics’ 18th NBA title as a franchise, a historic moment for the team and its fans.
The journey to the championship was long and challenging, but the Celtics’ perseverance and determination paid off in the end. Tatum and his teammates proved their critics wrong and solidified their place in NBA history with their impressive performance in the Finals.
For more sports coverage and updates, follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Scott Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, provided this coverage of the Celtics’ NBA Finals victory.