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NY Post
New York Post
2 Dec 2023


NextImg:Jayson Tatum ‘shocked’ by rare ejection in Celtics win: ‘Wasn’t that f–king mad’

What started out as an offensive foul — plus a subsequent review — turned into a rare ejection for Celtics star Jayson Tatum.

And he didn’t think his actions warranted two technicals, which forced him to exit Boston’s 125-119 victory over the 76ers late in the third quarter.

Tatum told reporters postgame that he was “extremely surprised” and claimed the referees were “ready to throw me out,” adding that he didn’t swear or exhibit anywhere near the behavior tolerated by other players in other games.

“I wasn’t that f–king mad, alright?” Tatum told reporters. “Don’t put that narrative out there. I didn’t throw nothing. I said what I said. There was no magic words. I didn’t cuss. 

“Maybe they didn’t want me to play tonight. They was eager to get me out of there, and I walked back calmly.”

Jayson Tatum kept complaining to officials after initially getting whistled for an offensive foul. Screengrab via X/@NBCSCeltics

With the Celtics leading by one in the final seconds of the third quarter, Tatum tried to split a pair of defenders and ended up knocking Robert Covington to the court.

Then, as Tatum walked toward the bench and the referees neared the table, he appeared to keep arguing with Phenizee Ransom and Bill Kennedy.

Ransom, eventually, blew his whistle and tossed Tatum.

Kennedy told a pool reporter after the game that Tatum was given a second technical foul — which marked the reason for his ejection — when he “continued to complain” with “overtly gestures” toward the officials.

Tatum said the Celtics assistant near him didn’t agree with the ejection.

Jayson Tatum was ejected in the third quarter of the Celtics' victory against the 76ers on Friday.

Jayson Tatum was ejected in the third quarter of the Celtics’ victory against the 76ers on Friday. AP

“I don’t agree with it,” Tatum said. “I’ve been in the league long enough. I’ve seen a lot worse behavior and reactions get tolerated for a lot longer. So for those two to throw me out the game, I was shocked. 

“You always say get your money’s worth, right? We get fined for these techs, and I definitely did not get my money’s worth for getting thrown out of the game tonight.”

It was just the second time in Tatum’s seven-year career — which has featured four All-Star appearances and a run to the NBA Finals — that officials tossed him, with the first occurring during a loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in February.

Still, even without Tatum, the Celtics (15-4) held on for a victory Friday, narrowly defeating a 76ers (12-7) team that didn’t have Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey available.

Tatum finished with 21 points before the ejection, while Derrick White added 21, Jaylen Brown contributed 20 and Al Horford finished with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks.