LOS ANGELES – After spending most of his Christmas Day fulfilling a childhood dream, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum wanted to keep prolonging the experience.
The Celtics ensured a 126-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday at Crypto.com Arena in an outcome that bore plenty of significance. Boston excelled against its hated rival on a stage the NBA had not showcased in 15 years, just over six months after the Celtics defeated the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals.
Tatum participated in the rivalry in the same building that his idol, the late Kobe Bryant, once fueled. And the Celtics (23-6) showed they had all the right ingredients to seriously compete for an NBA championship against a Lakers team (16-15) that still needs more consistent health, rotations and execution.
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Therefore, it seemed understandable that Tatum walked back onto the court after finishing his post-game treatment and interviews. Then, Tatum soaked it all one last time.
“I never take these moments for granted. I watched the Lakers my whole life growing up,” Tatum said earlier. “I always dreamed of playing in Staples Center. So any opportunity I get to, I cherish those moments getting to play in the building that my idol played in.”
Ironically, Tatum followed in his idol’s footsteps without needing to have the kind of game that Bryant often played. Tatum scored 25 points on inefficient marks from the field (6-for-15) and from 3-point range (1-for-6). Unlike in past seasons, the Celtics’ fortunes have not rested on how much Tatum scored. This time, the Celtics have become dangerous because of how Tatum has mastered other parts of his while the rest of the group has created a nearly unstoppable identity.
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (28 points, 11 rebounds), shooting guard Jaylen Brown (19 points), Derrick White (18 points, 11 assists) and Jrue Holiday (18 points, seven assists) also cracked double figures. Despite his poor shooting marks, Tatum still positively affected the game with his strong marks at the free-throw line (12-for-13), on the boards (eight assists), and in his playmaking (seven assists).
“It’s not so much sacrifice as it is reinvent,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You’re starting to see what leadership looks like, and what value looks like for him.”
Meanwhile, the Celtics are starting to see how they have dramatically improved their chances of winning an NBA championship after nearly coming close to finally climbing through its title window in the past two seasons.
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Though it came at the expense of losing a valued defender and locker-room leader (Marcus Smart), the Celtics dramatically improved their team by acquiring Porzingis from Washington this past offseason. They have an elite big man who can give Tatum and Brown more spacing, additional outside shooting and an inside presence.
Shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Damian Lillard from Portland, the Celtics landed the Bucks’ former key playmaker and defender in the 2021 NBA Finals from Portland (Jrue Holiday). They have an additional ball handler that can ensure a well-run offense. They also have another perimeter defender who can mitigate Smart’s absence.
“They have an understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish and they are willing to wear many different hats,” Mazzulla said. “They both have been one of the focal points on their team. They’re coming in and working together with the guys that have already been here about understanding the dynamic with how talent has to play together. Each guy has to reinvent themselves a little bit.”
Porzingis may not have had as much of a predominant role as either a No. 1 or No. 2 option amid his stops in New York (2015-2018), Dallas (2019-21) and Washington (2021-22). But after missing Saturday’s game against the LA Clippers with a sprained left ankle, Porzingis dutifully noted that “he felt no limitations in his game.”
Porzingis still led the Celtics in points. Though Lakers forward Anthony Davis had 40 points on 15-for-26 shooting and 13 rebounds, Porzingis’ presence often forced Davis to the perimeter to ensure 58 points in the paint. Porzingis also added two blocks, which included stuffing LeBron James at the rim without needing to jump much. As the Celtics opened the game with a 12-0 lead, Porzingis played a role in the strong start with an offensive rebound and a dunk. After the Lakers cut the Celtics’ lead to 58-57 at halftime, Porzingis scored 13 points in the third quarter on a mix of dunks, set shots, and 3s.
“The more we get to play together, the more I’ll be able to make those reads and the better our three and four-man actions will be,” Porzingis said. “Tonight was a good example.”
The Lakers-Celtics game also offered a good example of Holiday’s value. After Brown left with 4:02 left in the second quarter following an awkward collision with James, Holiday helped White manage the offense. During Porzingis’ third-quarter spurt, Holiday assisted on two of his baskets. Holiday also took turns with defending James (16 points on 5-for-14 shooting).
“Just be ourselves, and kind of do the things that we’re good at, whether it’s on defense or helping the team out and handling the ball,” Holiday said. “Offensively, KP does so much on so many different facets of the game from the 3-point line to the free-throw line to the paint. I just felt like adding us two enhances everybody else’s game.”
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After all, the Celtics already have accomplished plenty with their current group.
Ever since the Celtics drafted Brown (third in 2017) and Tatum (third in 2017), they have appeared in four Eastern Conference Finals and one NBA Finals. Boston lost to Golden State in 2022 amid the Warriors’ championship depth and its own health limitations. Yet, the Celtics still challenged the Heat to seven games in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals despite experiencing turbulence with Ime Udoka’s departure at the beginning of the season and facing a 0-3 deficit to Miami.
Through those ups and downs, Tatum and Brown have become more efficient and have added more scoring balance. The Celtics also have strong depth, including White’s playmaking and defense.
“I didn’t realize how good D White was. He was under the radar a little bit. But man, he’s special,” Porzingis said. “I love the way he plays and how, 90 plus percent of the time, he makes the right play.”
That doesn’t mean the Celtics have become a perfect product. Holiday wished the team went 4-0 on its latest trip. Boston shot only 13-for-42 from 3-point range. And its bench scored only 18 points.
Nonetheless, the Celtics look like the early NBA championship favorites because they have top-heavy talent that co-exists well with both embracing their roles and handling adversity.
That development may allow Tatum to experience Bryant’s path in another way. Instead of feeling the need to carry his team in scoring, Tatum and his teammates have forged the right identity to play winning basketball.
“We all know how to play the game. It was just a matter of time of us jelling together,” Tatum said. “We’ve done it pretty well so far. We’ve been playing really, really well. Hopefully it’s not just our best basketball yet because we still have a lot of basketball to go. But I love where we’re at, obviously, as a team.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.