Tim Bontemps, ESPND2. December 2023, 12:14 a.m. ET
BOSTON – Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn’t believe his actions in the closing moments of the third quarter of Boston’s 125-119 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night at TD Garden warranted a second technical foul and ejection.
“I was extremely surprised [I was ejected]Tatum said. “I mean, you all saw what happened. I may not know what I said, but I think whatever I said doesn’t matter at this point. I don’t agree with that. One of the assistant coaches was with me and has a different opinion. But it doesn’t matter, does it? …If they throw you out, they throw you out.
“Even if I was right, they could go back after the game and talk about it. It’s not like we’re getting this game back, I’m not getting this time back. It’s unfortunate, but like I said, I can do it.” I’m not changing what happened. Just how players compete with each other and influence the game. The referees have an influence on the game. So they kicked me out and whether it’s right or wrong, it’s their word against ours. But I can’t get that time back. “
Tatum’s ejection came with 2.1 seconds left in the third period when Tatum was sent off by referee Nick Buchert for a pick after being whistled for an offensive foul on 76ers forward Robert Covington, which was reviewed by the officials and became a flagrant Foul 1 upgraded, his second technique training was completed.
According to a pool report with crew chief Bill Kennedy, Tatum did a few things that warranted exclusion.
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“After a foul was called on Jayson on a loose ball, Jayson continued to complain and was asked to go to his bench several times,” Kennedy said. “He continued to complain about the foul on the field and openly gestured towards the referees and was assessed a second technical foul.”
However, Tatum appeared to be having a conversation with Kennedy as he was being ejected. When that happened, both Buchert and Phenizee Ransom simultaneously gestured for him to be ejected, leaving both Tatum and Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee with confused expressions.
After a few moments, Tatum turned around and left the field.
“They were ready to throw me out,” Tatum said with a smile when asked if he cursed leading up to his second technical test. “No I have not. I didn’t say a swear word.
“Me and Bill were talking and, like I said, the other two referees had an impact on the game. They have an influence on the game, on the result.”
And while the result was in Boston’s favor – on a night in which Philadelphia held on despite the absence of reigning MVP Joel Embiid, star guard Tyrese Maxey, both sidelined by illness, and starter Nicolas Batum with a finger injury – Tatum, the Finished the game with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 21 minutes, that wasn’t fair.
“I don’t agree with it,” he said. “I’ve been in the league long enough. I have seen much worse behavior and reactions and tolerated for much longer. When these two kicked me out of the game, I was shocked. It’s like always saying, “Get your money’s worth if you get fined for those techs, and I definitely didn’t get my money’s worth for getting thrown out of the game tonight.”
However, Tatum was happy that Boston was able to win without him. The Celtics played the undermanned 76ers, led by Patrick Beverley with 26 points, and got 10 points from Payton Pritchard in the fourth quarter to secure a victory.
“Everyone stepped up,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That’s just the team we have. My thanks go to them. I thought they did a great job on both ends of the floor. I thought the guys just did what they had to do to win.”
On the other hand, the 76ers were happy with the performance despite losing so much personnel. Beverley was one of just a few players who played well for Philadelphia, which has four days off before Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
“You have to play the game and try to play it the right way,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “You want to play hard, perform and just give it everything you have. … Our guys did that. And hopefully it gives some of these guys some confidence.”
“I’m glad we had a little break here. We need a few days to get everyone healthy and we need a few days of training and then we’re in for the big month of December.”
The Sixers could have Kelly Oubre Jr. back in Washington, positive injury news. Nurse said the team expects him to be fully available for practice Monday, paving the way for his eventual return.
For Boston, meanwhile, December begins with a game on Monday in Indianapolis against the Pacers to kick off the quarterfinals of the regular-season tournament – a game that could also see the return of Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who has been out for a week with a calf injury.
However, Tatum’s weekend started early. And at the end of his press conference he was asked what he had done to calm himself down after his expulsion.
“Again, I wasn’t that damn mad,” he said with a smile and a laugh. “Don’t spread this narrative. I didn’t throw anything. I said what I said. There were no magic words, the assistant coach was right there. … I don’t know it. Maybe they didn’t want it. “I wanted to play tonight. They really wanted to get me out.
“[After I was ejected]I went back calmly. I sat in my chair and got some ice cream. I wasn’t angry; I didn’t throw anything…it was like a joke. I had to laugh about it. So no, I’m not crying, throwing anything. I got my ice cream, watched the rest of the game and watched us win.