37 Points, 10 Assists, and a Dominant Debut: Tatum Explodes in Season Opener—Thanks, Coach Kerr!

Jayson Tatum came out firing on all cylinders in the Boston Celtics’ season opener, torching the New York Knicks in a 123-97 victory. Tatum played only 30 minutes but made the most of his time on the court, finishing with 37 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. His efficiency was staggering—Tatum shot 14-of-18 from the field, including 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, and added 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. Tatum’s opening night performance not only set the tone for his season but also had fans and analysts buzzing, especially given his offseason frustrations, including a limited role with Team USA during the Olympics.

The Celtics got off to a fast start, and Tatum’s hot shooting was a major reason why. In the first quarter alone, he nailed four of six attempts from three-point range, racking up 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Celtics dominated the Knicks early, outscoring them 43-24 in the first quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach before halftime. Tatum's leadership was on full display, as he effortlessly controlled the tempo and showcased his playmaking abilities alongside his elite scoring.

By halftime, Tatum had already tallied 25 points and showed no signs of slowing down. He continued to light it up in the second half, adding another 12 points and 4 assists in the third quarter, before sitting out the entire fourth quarter with the game well in hand. The Celtics were up by 26 points at the end of the third, and Tatum’s night was done, having already secured a career milestone. He became the first player in Celtics history to record at least 35 points and 10 assists in a game while shooting over 75% from the field.

The Best Opening Performance by a Celtic

Tatum’s efficiency in this game was off the charts. He recorded a true shooting percentage of 98%, a rare feat even for elite shooters. On top of that, he led the team with a +26 plus-minus rating, demonstrating his overall impact on both ends of the floor. It was the kind of performance that fans had hoped for after a tumultuous summer in which Tatum experienced both career highs and some frustrating lows.

In Boston’s illustrious history, filled with Hall of Fame players and retired jerseys, no one had ever achieved what Tatum did in this game. His combination of scoring and playmaking efficiency set him apart, and this game may very well be a harbinger of a huge season for Tatum. He was locked in from the start, and his shooting stroke, particularly from three-point range, looked smoother and more consistent than ever before. Many observers noted that Tatum’s shooting form had slightly changed in the offseason, and the results were apparent as he drained shot after shot with ease.

Tatum’s Motivation: A Summer of Frustration

Tatum’s blistering start to the season can be attributed to several factors, one of which is the motivation he’s carried into the year. While the Celtics are coming off a championship-winning season, Tatum’s personal accolades didn’t match the team’s success. In last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, Tatum put up strong numbers, averaging 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in the Celtics’ sweep of the Indiana Pacers. However, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy slipped through his fingers, as Jaylen Brown took home the award after some clutch performances in key moments.

Brown averaged 29.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists during that series, but it was his game-saving moments that stood out. In Game 1, Brown hit a crucial three-pointer to send the game to overtime, and in Game 2, he exploded for 40 points, leading the Celtics to victory. Brown edged out Tatum by a single vote for the MVP honor, a minor but painful slight for a player used to being the team’s centerpiece.

The narrative was much the same in the NBA Finals. While Tatum led the Celtics in scoring, rebounding, and assists, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists, his shooting efficiency took a nosedive. Tatum shot just 39% from the field in the Finals, struggling to find his rhythm when the team needed him most. Meanwhile, Brown was more consistent, and his performances in the first three games of the series, particularly a 30-point, 8-rebound, 8-assist outing in Game 3, gave him the edge once again. Tatum ended the season without an NBA Finals MVP to his name, a distinction he craved to pair with his championship ring.

If that wasn’t enough motivation, Tatum’s experience with Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics added another layer of frustration. Despite being one of the NBA’s top players—an All-NBA First Team selection, a top-five MVP candidate, and a newly minted NBA champion—Tatum found himself relegated to a bench role on the star-studded U.S. squad. Head coach Steve Kerr opted to give more playing time to LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and other frontcourt stars, leaving Tatum with limited minutes. He averaged just 17.7 minutes per game during the tournament, contributing a modest 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

For a player of Tatum’s caliber, it was a humbling experience. Many fans and analysts questioned Kerr’s decision to use Tatum so sparingly, especially given that Tatum had thrived in international competition before. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Tatum was one of Team USA’s top performers, averaging 15.2 points per game on 49.3% shooting from the field and 44.7% from three-point range, second on the team in scoring behind only Durant. Given that track record, Tatum’s reduced role in Paris was puzzling, and the DNP (Did Not Play) decision in the quarterfinals further stung.

“Thanks, Coach Kerr!”

Tatum took it all in stride publicly, expressing understanding of Kerr’s rotations, but it’s clear that he entered the NBA season with a point to prove. His first game against the Knicks certainly showed the results of an offseason spent working on his game, particularly his shooting, and sharpening his focus. As fans joked on social media, “Thanks, Coach Kerr!” for fueling what looks to be a determined and motivated Jayson Tatum.

Of course, this is just one game in an 82-game regular season. But Tatum’s performance hints at a potential MVP-caliber season ahead. With a championship and two Olympic gold medals already in his trophy case, Tatum has his sights set on two more personal goals: NBA MVP and Finals MVP. Given the strength of the Celtics’ roster, which remains one of the deepest and most talented in the league, Tatum has all the tools necessary to achieve both.

In fact, Boston showed just how powerful they can be in this season opener. They tied their franchise record for three-pointers made in a game with 29, and that was without Kristaps Porzingis in the lineup. When Porzingis, the versatile big man, returns to action, the Celtics’ offense will be even more formidable. Right now, Boston looks a tier above almost every other team in the league in terms of offensive firepower, and Tatum is at the center of it all.

Tatum’s Path to MVP and Finals MVP

For Tatum, the formula for winning the regular-season MVP is straightforward: lead the Celtics to one of the best records in the league while maintaining elite individual stats. If he continues to put up numbers like he did in this opening game, he’ll be a frontrunner for the award. However, there’s a catch. The Celtics’ roster is so loaded with talent, including stars like Brown, Porzingis, and Marcus Smart, that it could detract from Tatum’s case in the eyes of MVP voters. Sometimes, having too good of a supporting cast works against a player’s MVP chances, as the credit for the team’s success gets spread around.

As for the Finals MVP, it will come down to Tatum’s performance in the biggest moments. Last season, he had multiple opportunities to take control of key games, but his shooting struggles held him back. If he can rectify that this season and lead Boston to another deep playoff run, there’s a good chance he’ll be the one hoisting the Finals MVP trophy next summer.

For now, Tatum can enjoy the fact that he’s started the season with a bang. Knicks fans may not be as thrilled, though—thanks, Coach Kerr, for giving Tatum all the motivation he needed!