The battle was tough last night between the Celtics and the Wolves. In the final moments of the match, the “franchise players” were there with the Brown-Tatum pair who held on against the Edwards-Randle tandem to snatch a short but precious victory, 107-105.
For the duration of a match, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards became opponents again after getting to know each other under the same Team USA jersey this summer, during the Paris 2024 Olympic campaign.
This is where JT was able to get to know the “Ant-Man” phenomenon well, quite a client, on and off the field.
The evening meeting was thus an opportunity for the Celtics star to give him a friendly wink, with a smile as a bonus, since he managed to shut him up, which is apparently not a small feat!
Among the most competitive players in the league
“I love Ant”, he confided on the leader of the Wolves. “He’s an incredible player, an incredible competitor. He talks a lot. And he had a lot to say this summer about the matches we faced each other in last season. And he was keen to challenge us again this year. We always enjoy playing against some of the other best players in the league. It’s always fun and competitive. »
Author of 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, Jayson Tatum was able to count on Jaylen Brown (29 points) to seal the fate of the match. And even if the latter is not particularly fond of the exercise, he recognizes that “trashtalking” is part of the game, and that Anthony Edwards has the verve of a seasoned lodger.
“It’s basketball. At the end of the day, it's nothing personal. Just come play basketball and be competitive. And he's one of the most competitive players in the league. He's one of the young superstars. He plays hard on both ends of the court, he wants to win. So it's something I respect. Plus, we come from the same background, so I understand. I know what wood it is made of. For me, it's normal”, said Jaylen Brown.
There is no doubt that Anthony Edwards must have appreciated the compliment, which will not prevent him from preparing his revenge. The return match between the two teams, in Minneapolis, is scheduled for January 2.
| Jayson Tatum | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 80 | 31 | 47.5 | 43.4 | 82.6 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 13.9 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 79 | 31 | 45.0 | 37.3 | 85.5 | 0.9 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 15.7 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 66 | 34 | 45.0 | 40.3 | 81.2 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 23.4 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 64 | 36 | 45.9 | 38.6 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 76 | 36 | 45.3 | 35.3 | 85.3 | 1.1 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 26.9 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 74 | 37 | 46.6 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.1 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 30.1 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 74 | 36 | 47.1 | 37.6 | 83.3 | 0.9 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 26.9 |
| 2024-25 | BOS | 16 | 37 | 45.5 | 37.1 | 80.6 | 0.4 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 6.1 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 29.1 |
| Total | 529 | 34 | 46.0 | 37.5 | 84.2 | 0.9 | 6.3 | 7.2 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 23.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
