The Boston Celtics are facing elimination in Thursday’s Game 6 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Many would assume that this means star forward Jayson Tatum would have a great game to try and keep the Celtics alive and force a Game 7. That has not been the case through one-half of play.
Tatum has had an extremely inconsistent in the series, erupting for 39 points in Game 1 while just scoring seven points in Game 2.
The four-time All-Star struggled mightily in the first half of play in Game 6, scoring just one point while shooting 0-10 from the field.
Jayson Tatum at the half:
• 1 PT (0-10 FG)
• Celtics lead by 7.Season on the line 👀 pic.twitter.com/PYD7XkdgUu
— ESPN (@espn) May 12, 2023
This is obviously extremely disappointing considering the season is one the line for Boston. Many took to social media to blast Tatum for his abnormally bad performance in the first half.
Jayson Tatum going 0-10 in the first half. pic.twitter.com/pAY0T6DGa9
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) May 12, 2023
Jayson Tatum at half:
🧱 1 PT
🧱 0-10 FG
🧱 0-4 3PHe’s 0-19 in the last 3 first quarters 😤🥶🧱 pic.twitter.com/MQRzTpow97
— BrickWrld (@BRICKW0RLD) May 12, 2023
Jayson Tatum at halftime:
1 Point
7 Rebounds
6 Assists
0/10 FGM
0/4 3PM pic.twitter.com/6QmtZ4Wkzt— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1656822285368524800
Jayson Tatum is 1-23 in the first half of the last 3 games.
WHERE ARE YOU JAYSON TATUM? pic.twitter.com/2k2y5yzMBO
— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) May 12, 2023
The brutal performance from Tatum puts him in rare company of very good players having very bad performances. He is just the seventh player since 1997 to take at least ten shots in a postseason half and make none of them.
Jayson Tatum was 0-for-10 shooting in the first half.
He's the 7th player since 1997 to take at least 10 shots in a postseason half and make none of them. Joins Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Vince Carter, Michael Finley and Michael Jordan.
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) May 12, 2023
Luckily for Celtics fans, Tatum’s struggles actually haven’t played much of a role in how the game has gone to this point. Thanks to some impressive play from role players like Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart the Celtics took a seven-point lead into the halftime break.
Tatum is widely regarded as one of the best players in basketball, so this is definitely an abnormal game for him. Regardless, they will certainly need a better performance in the second half if they want to take this series to Game 7.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.