Context:

Jayson Tatum's performance was a critical factor in the Boston Celtics' 91-90 loss to the New York Knicks, leaving them in a 0-2 series deficit. Despite starting strong, Boston's shooting faltered, missing 12 consecutive shots towards the game's end, with Tatum contributing to this drought. Though Tatum scored the last four points for Boston, including a dunk that briefly gave them the lead, a crucial turnover in the final seconds sealed the Celtics' fate. Tatum's struggles are highlighted by his poor shooting percentage and critical turnovers, failing to capitalize on opportunities to win the game. Moving forward, for Boston to have a chance in the series, Tatum needs to improve his consistency and shooting accuracy, particularly in the fourth quarter where he has significantly underperformed so far in the playoffs.

Dive Deeper:

• Boston Celtics lost Game 2 against the New York Knicks, resulting in a 0-2 series hole as the Knicks secured a narrow 91-90 win after a comeback. Despite having an early lead, the Celtics faltered due to a shooting slump in crucial moments.

• Jayson Tatum struggled with his shooting, going 5-19 from the field, and facing difficulties in the crucial fourth quarter, where his performance has been below par throughout the series. He had only 13 points, although he managed 14 rebounds and 5 assists.

• In the last minute of the game, Tatum scored four points, including two free throws and a dunk that briefly put the Celtics ahead. However, a turnover in the final seconds, caused by a pressured pass intercepted by Mikal Bridges, cost Boston the game.

• Tatum's postseason shooting woes continued, as he has gone 1-11 in fourth quarters during the series with the Knicks, significantly impacting the team's ability to close out games effectively.

• Despite his rebounding success, Tatum's inconsistent shooting has prevented the Celtics from securing wins, as he has only scored a total of 36 points over the two games against the Knicks, a stark contrast to his 31.3 points per game in the first-round series against the Magic.

• Tatum's regular season shooting was 45.2%, but he has been unable to replicate this efficiency in the playoffs, struggling particularly from beyond the arc in clutch moments, which has left Boston vulnerable in tight games.

• For Boston to have a chance at overcoming their current deficit against New York, Tatum needs to address his shooting inconsistencies and improve his decision-making in high-pressure situations, especially in the final minutes of the game.

• The Celtics lost another game after a big Knicks comeback on Wednesday — and dropped into a 0-2 series hole in the process.

• Boston once again got out to an early lead, but New York whittled it away and picked up a huge 91-90 win in Game 2 of the series. The Celtics now head to Game 3 at Madison Square Garden in a must-win situation. 

• Boston looked like it was grooving early in Game 2, but it ended up going ice cold from the field down the stretch. With about 1:45 left in the game, the Celtics had missed 12 consecutive shots.

• Star forward Jayson Tatum contributed to that drought, as he once again struggled from the floor like he did in Game 1.

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• Tatum did score Boston's final four points in the final minute, as he made two free throws to pull Boston within a point before throwing down a monster dunk to put the Celtics up one with 18 seconds left, firing up the home crowd. However, New York's Jalen Brunson was fouled with 12 seconds left and made both free throws. 

• Down one, Tatum tried driving the lane to attempt the game-winner. He went left near the basket before doing a spinning jump pass after drawing the defense. Mikal Bridges was all over it, though, forcing a turnover and effectively ending the game. 

• THE KNICKS TAKE BOTH GAMES IN BOSTON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Te0l8dvpKC

• — The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 8, 2025 Here is more on Tatum's performance in Game 2. 

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• Jayson Tatum Game 2 stats vs. Knicks

  • 42 minutes
  • 13 points
  • 14 rebounds
  • 5 assists
  • 3 steals
  • 1 block
  • 3 turnovers
  • 5-19 FG
  • 1-5 3FG
  • 2-2 FT
  The stats alone don't tell the full story. Tatum had three turnovers in the game, but none was as big as the final one that lost the game. If he had gotten the pass to the top of the key to Jaylen Brown as he intended, the guard would have been completely wide open with a chance to win the game.

• Instead, the fourth quarter woes for Tatum continued. Even though he had a double-double in the game and his 14 rebounds look impressive, his shooting percentage was awful. So far this series, Tatum is just 1-11 in the fourth quarter. He has six total points including free throws and is 0-9 from beyond the arc in the final frame of the first two games. 

• If Boston is going to be able to counter and pick up a required when in New York, Tatum is going to have to play more consistently.

• Jayson Tatum 2025 playoff stats

  1st Round vs. Magic

• Game	Minutes	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG (%)	3FG (%)	FT (%)
  1	40	17	14	4	8-22 (36.4%)	1-8 12.5%	0-4 0.0%
  2	39	36	9	4	10-22 (45.5%)	4-10 (40.0%)	12-12 (100%)
  3	42	37	14	3	10-25 (40.0%)	3-10 (30.0%)	14-14 (100%)
  4	34	35	8	10	10-16 (62.5%)	4-5 (80.0%)	11-11 (100%)

  2nd round vs. Knicks

• Game	Minutes	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG (%)	3FG (%)	FT (%)
  1	44	23	16	6	7-23 (30.4%)	4-15 (26.7%)	5-7 (71.4%)
  2	42	13	14	5	5-19 (26.3%)	1-5 (20.0%)	2-2 (100%)

  Tatum has struggled shooting consistently the entire postseason. He shot 45.2% from the field in the regular season and only noticeably bettered that in one game in the series against Orlando. Tatum has done a great job on the boards compared to the regular season, but that hasn't been able to help get Boston any wins in this series. He averaged 31.3 points per game in the first-round series and has 36 combined points through two games against the Knicks.