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When it was all said and done, Jayson Tatum buried his face in his hands as confetti fell from the rafters, overwhelmed with emotions as he celebrated with his son, Jayson Jr. or “Deuce” to many.
At long last, Tatum is finally an NBA champion and can join the roster of Boston Celtics greats.
"He [Deuce] told me I was the best in the world... I said 'you're damn right I am,'" JT said in his post-game exchange with his son following the Celtics title-clinching 106-88 Game 5 win over the Dallas Mavericks. It was Boston's record 18th title and first since 2008.
"He told me I was the best in the world... I said 'you're damn right I am!'"
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
JT on the exchange with his son Deuce as the confetti fell 🎊 https://t.co/i2gGBUKuVO pic.twitter.com/0PxFP88o6l
[ALSO READ: Jayson Tatum steers Celtics to record-setting 18th NBA title with Game 5 romp of Mavericks]
“All the sacrifices are worth it. This is going to be the night that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
It sure did, and the 26-year-old superstar willed the Celtics to their biggest game of the season and delivered.
Tatum had a team-high 31 points, 11 rebounds and eight dimes, becoming the sixth player in NBA history to record 30+ point and 10+ assist in an NBA Finals clinching game.
Jayson Tatum is the the 6th player in NBA history to record 30+ PTS and 10+ AST in an NBA Finals clinching game, joining:
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 18, 2024
Jerry West
Walt Frazier
James Worthy
Michael Jordan
Stephen Curry https://t.co/IqGpH4TdgL
He focused more on getting his teammates involved early and went on to slowly get a rhythm on offense. By halftime, Tatum already had a near double-double of 16 points and nine dimes.
Jayson Tatum came READY for Game 5...
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
16 PTS
9 AST
4 REB
54.5 FG%
Seeking his 1st 🏆... Boston leads 67-46 at the half on ABC. pic.twitter.com/fSRHRkQ9V7
“These last seven years have been a roller coaster, the ups and downs. Tonight, it was worth it.”
Through thick and thin, Tatum stayed resilient--in the highest of highest and lowest of lows–in pursuit of greatness. Five Eastern Conference Finals, seven playoff appearances, 119 career postseason games, and a 2022 Finals heartbreak later, he's finally a champion.
Jayson Tatum soaking it all in!
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
The Celtics superstar is now an NBA CHAMPION 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cbKQjPx6fj
“This [winning the title] is at the top of the mountain. To be able to say that we did it, we came together, we won a championship.”
The multi-time All-Star knew the pressure of delivering a title to the most successful franchise in league history is at an all-time high, and admitted past failures just fueled his fire to get the job done no matter whatever it takes.
"Banner no. 18, that’s been hanging on our heads for so many years. To know that we’ve been engraved to history….. we did it, we won a championship. “It took being relentless, being on the lowest points in your basketball career…. and coming up short and having failures that make this moment that much better.”
Jayson Tatum is an NBA Champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/srv9NLDGp1
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
