The Boston Celtics’ pursuit to defend their title has come under major distress. In two games, they have led by 20 points against the New York Knicks. All it’s taken is one run by Jalen Brunson and Co. to pierce through and take those road games. Looking at the numbers, the Celtics have shot 100 threes over the first two games. Having only hit 25% of them, that’s where Jayson Tatum and the Celtics and falling apart. But still, the locker room seems confused.
Brian Windhorst collected a few insights from their locker room after another uncharacteristic performance in Game 2. And in spite of their high usage of threes, the Celtics don’t feel their tactics are letting them down. Given, Windy did find a few moments in the game confusing. “Like Tatum at one point in the fourth quarter had Jalen Brunson on him, yet again, this is where he hoisted a three-pointer several times in game one, he had Brunson on him. And he gave the ball up like two seconds later. And you’re like, what are you doing?” he mentioned.
However, as far as living by the three-pointers, the Shamrocks don’t think it’s the reason for their downfall. After all, they have a versatile roster where every player can stretch the floor. In addition, they are seeing the desired looks. Still, the law of averages isn’t going in their favor. This has led to the Celtics’ locker room being stumped.
“What I’m getting from listening to their players and talking to their players is that I don’t think they quite understand why it’s not working. They feel like they’re running good offense…They feel like they’re “getting good looks. They don’t feel like they’re failing in running their stuff. And that’s what’s confounding them because they feel like it should be working,” Windhorst revealed on Hoop Collective.
Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and forward Jayson Tatum (0) stand on the court during a timeout during the second half of their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
They can’t comprehend how they are “shooting this badly?”. Believe it or not, but from their 100 threes, 96% have been either open or wide open. Additionally, fatigue or momentum can’t be the issue as they wrapped up the Magic in five games and shot 37.8% from beyond the arc. So, how can their execution have faltered so much?
The Celtics locker room still can’t place their fingers on any particular reason. However, even if they only lack a final product, the room for experimenting can’t be this high.
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics ned to be inventive
In a span of poor shooting during the regular season, teams can rely on playing through such spells. They are aware that in time, the shots will begin to fall. But the Celtics had two pivotal games at the TD Garden against a hard-playing Knicks squad. The importance of winning these games far supercedes getting their shooting rhythm down.
But that’s what it’s looked like for Jayson Tatum and the other Celtics stars. They are showing a high degree of stubbornness just because they are getting the quality of shots they want. And thinking about it, having been up 20 in each game, maybe they had that room. It’s just that the postseason doesn’t give many opportunities.
Now, Tatum and Co. have to tackle a herculean barrier. Madison Square Garden is bound to be loud as their team has a foot in the ECF. The only way for the Shamrocks to fall out of their nightmare is by going against the grain. Their three-pointers need to be limited, especially in the closing moments of the game.
In Game 2, they were doing a splendid job of mixing their offense until the third quarter. They held a commanding lead. But from their 19 three-pointers in the second half, 11 came in the fourth quarter. They made only 2 of them and got outscored 30-17 by the Knicks. In Game 1, they were 2-15 from beyond the arc in the fourth.
A pattern has emerged for the Celtics. When their threes are hitting nylon, the Knicks have found no counter. But there is a need to diversify their offense once Brunson and the Knicks do seem threatening. That hasn’t happened so far. And as much as Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown are catching flak, it’s the entire Celtics contingent that’s stumbling.
Now, down 0-2 with two games at MSG, do you think the Celtics will fix their problems? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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