Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ leading man, is facing tough scrutiny after his performance in the first two games of the playoff series against the New York Knicks. The series, unfolding in May 2025, has seen Tatum’s shooting percentages and decision-making raise questions as Boston finds itself in an early deficit. His willingness to take responsibility has become a focal point for the Celtics as they regroup and prepare for Game 3, which could shape the outcome of the series.
Boston’s hopes hang on experienced stars like Tatum, but his struggles – highlighted by a poor field goal percentage and costly turnovers – have become central storylines. The team’s response over the coming days will be closely watched as they look to avoid an early postseason exit.
Tatum Acknowledges Recent Playoff Struggles
Jayson Tatum did not shy away from the microphone after the Celtics’ latest defeat to the Knicks. He took “full ownership” of his subpar play through the opening two matchups and said directly, “I need to be better, and I expect to be a lot better.” This candid admission draws attention because star players are rarely this direct during a high-stakes playoff run.
His struggles started immediately in Game 1 and continued into Game 2. Tatum has acknowledged the pain of missing open looks and the frustration of not converting in big moments. He’s made 12 of 42 shots, which amounts to 29 percent shooting heading into Game 3. These numbers don’t align with what’s expected from the team’s franchise cornerstone, especially after a regular season where Tatum was routinely efficient from the floor.
On top of the shooting woes, Tatum has been critical of his overall decision-making. He pointed to a poor final possession in Game 2, where a turnover sealed the Knicks’ comeback win. Now, Tatum’s words are doubling as a challenge – to himself and the rest of the Celtics – before the pivotal next game in the series.
Shooting Slump and Turnover Woes
The numbers behind Tatum’s playoff start paint a striking picture for Celtics fans and analysts. He has hit just 5 of 20 on three-pointers for 25 percent, and only visited the free throw line nine times across two contests. That’s an unusually low figure for a wing who typically relies on aggressive drives and drawing contact.
Along with cold shooting, turnovers have been a persistent issue. Tatum has eight turnovers through two games, and none was more damaging than his late-game mistake in Game 2. High-pressure playoff basketball often magnifies these moments, and Boston’s margin for error is shrinking.
This slump is not just about missed shots; it’s also about shot selection. There’s been a pattern of “settling” for outside jumpers instead of pushing into the paint. When open looks fail to fall and drives aren’t rewarded, frustration starts to build. Tatum has tried to keep his confidence, but the missed opportunities are glaring.
The Celtics’ offense needs its best player to be both efficient and aggressive. If Tatum can’t reverse the trend, Boston will be hard-pressed to keep pace with the Knicks’ surging confidence.
Celtics’ Offensive Difficulties From Beyond the Arc
Three-point shooting was a defining weapon of Boston’s championship run last season and their 61-win regular year. But so far in this series, the arc has become a wasteland. The Celtics as a group have connected on just 25 out of 100 attempts from three over the first two games – a crisp 25 percent from deep.
This drop-off is particularly alarming for a team built around volume shooting and spacing. Joe Mazzulla has stuck by his belief that firing up large numbers of threes creates offense, but when the team collectively goes cold, those misses escalate fast. Opponents know the Celtics live and die by the 3-point line; the Knicks are capitalizing by packing the paint and contesting perimeter attempts.
Role players who usually rely on spot-up shots – like Derrick White and Sam Hauser – also have not hit their usual marks. When defenses collapse on Tatum and Jaylen Brown, nobody has made New York pay for over-helping. The pressure builds with every missed outside shot, lending a tense atmosphere to every Celtics possession.
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Fourth Quarter Collapses
The fourth quarter has been especially cruel to Boston in this playoff series. In both games, New York erased double-digit second-half deficits. Over two contests, the Knicks have outscored the Celtics by a total of 22 points in the final period, routinely executing better down the stretch.
Tatum and Jaylen Brown, normally clutch performers, have faltered at critical moments. They have combined for just 2-of-19 shooting in the fourth quarters, missing open looks and turning the ball over as New York ramps up defensive intensity. These cold stretches allow momentum to shift quickly in playoff basketball, where every possession is magnified.
The coaching staff and veteran leaders have stressed that Boston needs to remain calm and smart in late-game situations. But with the team pressing and the crowd on edge, it has proven challenging to close games the way they did in the regular season.
Now, the Celtics’ ability to execute late will be scrutinized until proven otherwise. Fourth quarter meltdowns can doom any postseason run, regardless of talent level or home-court advantage.
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Team Meeting Focuses on Maintaining Confidence
Amid a gloomy start, the Celtics organized a team film session after Game 2. The intent was not just to break down plays but to reset the mental tone. One clear point of emphasis in the meeting: Don’t lose confidence and don’t pass up good shots.
Veteran leaders, coaches, and even younger contributors were encouraged to speak about keeping their edge and not letting a rough two-game patch cloud the rest of the series. The Celtics have a reputation for aggressive, free-flowing offense and the staff wants to see the same mindset carried into Game 3 despite these bumps.
Boston’s locker room has responded before in adverse moments throughout recent playoff runs. Maintaining discipline in shot selection and avoiding panic will determine whether this group can turn things around or crumple under the pressure of playoff adversity.
Coach Joe Mazzulla on Accountability and Improvement
Coach Joe Mazzulla has made it clear that responsibility for the series deficit falls on his shoulders as much as the players’. After Game 2, he praised Tatum for his willingness to take the blame, but didn’t let anyone off the hook, including himself:
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“I could be better. The things that I can help our team execute on our entire team can be better. And yeah, he can too.”
This theme of collective improvement is a hallmark of the Celtics under Mazzulla. He has long stressed that fixing mistakes is a group effort, reinforcing that no one individual determines the outcome of a playoff series. The hope is that this clarity allows stars like Tatum to stay aggressive, knowing the entire organization has their back.
Mazzulla’s willingness to share the heat may allow the Celtics to play looser in future games. By keeping the focus on process and not just results, Boston’s approach could benefit as the series wears on. But with the Knicks up 2-0, there is little room left for error.
Tatum and Brown Under Pressure to Deliver
The Celtics’ highest-paid and most influential players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, are enduring the brunt of the criticism. Both have struggled to make clutch shots late and haven’t found their regular-season rhythm. Their combined fourth-quarter shooting woes (2-of-19) have drawn attention from media and fans alike.
These are the superstars who carried Boston in last year’s title quest. For the Celtics to have any shot at a deep run this spring, Tatum and Brown need to break out of their funks. Their performances in Game 3 and beyond are being viewed as referendum on the team’s championship window.
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Celtics fans understand the stakes and expect their franchise faces to respond under pressure. Both Tatum and Brown are stressing accountability and are vocal about their determination to “be better.” The urgency around their play is palpable, and a standout effort from either could turn the series around.
Knicks Exploit Celtics’ Late Game Vulnerabilities
The New York Knicks have been relentless in the second halves, punishing every Celtics breakdown. Both games of the series saw the Knicks erase 20-point deficits and finish strong. Their ability to exploit Boston’s lack of execution late in games has swung the series momentum dramatically in their favor.
The Knicks have leaned on tough, physical defense, switching assignments and contesting shots down the stretch. They’ve also attacked Tatum and Brown on the other end, forcing them to expend energy on defense and possibly wearing them down for crunch time.
New York’s confidence has grown with each late victory. They travel to Boston for Game 3 brimming with belief that they can close out tight contests – and now have a psychological edge in high-stress moments. For the Celtics, solving the Knicks’ late-game equation is the only path back into the series.
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Kristaps Porzingis’ Ongoing Health Concerns
Boston’s big man Kristaps Porzingis entered the playoffs dealing with an undisclosed illness that hindered his minutes and production. In Game 1, his energy collapsed so severely he had to exit early. Game 2 saw him record only 14 minutes off the bench, where he was limited but productive, securing 8 points and 4 rebounds despite feeling unwell.
Porzingis’ absence or limitation leaves a noticeable gap for the Celtics, who often look to him for interior presence and shot blocking. Coach Mazzulla commented that every game will have to be managed “situationally” based on how Porzingis feels and recovers, which injects uncertainty into Boston’s rotation and game-planning.
Medical specialists have struggled to fully identify or solve the issue, leaving Porzingis’ availability in question for the rest of the series. If he is unable to heal sufficiently, it puts more pressure on Boston’s perimeter stars while allowing the Knicks to focus even more on shutting down Tatum and Brown.
Mazzulla’s Emphasis on 3-Point Shooting Philosophy
Throughout his coaching tenure, Joe Mazzulla has been consistent: Three-point shooting is central to the Celtics’ identity. Even in the wake of two very cold shooting games, he has told his team not to abandon open looks from deep. His philosophy is based on the idea that high-volume threes create spacing, force defenses to make tough choices, and open driving lanes for Tatum, Brown, and others.
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This approach has earned the Celtics a reputation as one of the league’s most explosive offenses when shots are falling. However, it also means greater volatility in the playoffs, when every possession matters more. The challenge now is for Boston to maintain the right mix of confidence and pragmatism – taking smart shots, not just any shot available.
The Celtics’ struggles so far aren’t just a product of cold hands; the system is being put to the test. If Boston continues missing in bunches, many will question whether the philosophy should adapt, or whether patience will eventually be rewarded as shooting luck regresses to the mean.
Celtics Eyes Set on Critical Game 3
All focus now shifts to Saturday’s Game 3 – a virtual must-win for Boston. With the Knicks up 2-0, the margin for error is gone. The mood in the team facility has switched from frustration to determination as everyone looks to reset the tone in front of the home crowd.
Players and coaches universally agree that this upcoming contest will reveal their character and mental toughness. The outcome will either give Boston hope or push them to the brink of playoff elimination. Tatum, Brown, and the rest of the Celtics will be working to reclaim their offensive identity and reverse their fourth-quarter fortunes with the season on the line.
Fans will have their eyes fixed on key adjustments – defensive matchups, rotation changes, and, especially, whether Tatum and Brown can bounce back from their rocky starts. Every minute will be played with pressure, knowing that one more slip-up could turn the series into an insurmountable hill.
