The Boston Celtics defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-99 with the C’s winning the game on a huge 3 point shot by Marcus Morris.
This back and forth affair should, in theory, have been a blowout for a Thunder team with Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony. But Boston and its band of misfits were lead by Rookie Jayson Tatum and a supporting cast that stepped up in big moments like Shane Larkin hitting a 3 to end the 3rd quarter or Terry Rozier shimmy shaking his way to a late 3 pointer with a defender in his face.
Tatum who is the lone star in Boston with Kyrie Irving out had a double-double on Tuesday night with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Morris who drained the game-winner after shaking off two defenders finished the game with 21 points and continues to be the rock of the team with Irving out with Brad Stevens drawing up the final play of the game with Morris in mind to take the last shot.
But as impressive as Morris has been the real story here is the 19-year-old rookie Tatum who has been on an absolute tear as of late and has stepped up with Kyrie absent.
Tatum was pivotal against the Thunder with Boston essentially being -20+ without him on the court. And of course, he had the game-winning assist to hit Morris on the perimeter after Tatum drove in the lane.
For the Celtics, this was a huge win, but with Irving seeking a second opinion on his knee their future in terms of playoff potential remains very unclear.
