Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum silenced the pro-Philadelphia 76ers crowd with a dagger 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter of Game 3 on Friday. Tatum’s 29-footer pushed Boston’s lead to 106-100 with 25.3 seconds remaining, signaling some of the home fans, including Philly legend Allen Iverson, to leave the arena.
The clutch triple from Tatum prompted fans to react. One fan wrote:
“Philly’s father.”
Another fan added:
“More clutch playoff moments than anyone since he entered the league.”
Another fan added:
“Just a dad putting his kids to sleep.”
One more fan continued:
“Tatum is back.”
One fan tweeted:
“Sub Zero.”
Tatum has arguably been the 76ers’ biggest nemesis since the Celtics drafted him in 2017. Boston is 3-0 against the Sixers in the playoffs since his arrival. After this latest win, Tatum’s playoff record against the Sixers stands at 14-5, fueling his “Philly’s father” nickname.
Game 3 on Friday was perhaps Tatum’s most remarkable performance in front of 76ers fans. The versatile forward missed 62 regular-season games to recover from a torn Achilles tendon. In just his 19th game after returning, he gave the home fans another likely well-remembered heartache.
Late in the fourth quarter, an Andre Drummond dunk made it 97-96. On cue, Tatum responded with a 24-footer to keep the Celtics in front 100-96 with 1:57 left.
Paul George kept the game close with a jumper before Jayson Tatum fed Payton Pritchard for a 3-pointer. Philly’s final basket came via two Kelly Oubre Jr. free throws.
Tatum iced the game with another 3-pointer that pushed Boston’s lead to 106-100. Tyrese Maxey missed a 30-footer that forced home fans to finally give up hope of a comeback.
Jayson Tatum Continues To Make 76ers Regret Not Drafting Him
Three days before the 2017 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics traded the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers to move down to the No. 3 spot.
In January 2025, Tatum’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, told NBA insider Dave McMenamin that he “begged” the 76ers to draft Tatum and add him to a core that already included Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Former 76ers GM Bryan Colangelo used the top pick to grab Markelle Fultz before the LA Lakers passed on Jayson Tatum to get Lonzo Ball. Boston gladly took Tatum at No. 3.
While Tatum has become a superstar, Fultz lasted only two seasons in Philadelphia. Ben Simmons, another reason the 76ers did not want Tatum, forced his way out after four seasons.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum again reminded 76ers fans of what could have been following another heroic display on Friday.
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