BOSTON — Jayson Tatum did not see his second career ejection coming on Friday night at TD Garden in Boston’s win over the 76ers. Even after getting whistled for a technical foul in the first quarter, the Celtics All-Star tried to approach officials about what he thought was a missed call late in the third quarter. Instead, with just seconds remaining in the frame, Tatum was shown the door by two officials after a conversation at the scorer’s table.
“Was I surprised? Yeah. I was extremely surprised,” Tatum said after the Celtics win over the 76ers. “I mean, y’all all saw what happened. You might not know what I said, but I mean, I guess whatever I said doesn’t matter, at this point. I don’t agree with that. One of the assistant coaches who was there with me doesn’t agree (with the ejection). But it doesn’t really matter, right? It’s like the refs word against ours. And at that moment, when they throw you out, they throw you out. Even if I was right, they could go back and talk about it after the game.
“It’s not like we get that game back. I don’t get that time back. So, you know, it’s unfortunate, but like I said, I can’t change what happened. You know, just how players, we compete and affect the game, the refs affect the game. So they threw me out and right or wrong, it’s their word against ours, and I can’t get that time back.
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Tatum denied saying anything directly to the officials from a language standpoint that would have led to the ejection. Instead, he felt that he was unfairly targeted in the sequence.
“I’ve been in the league long enough, I’ve seen a lot worse behavior and reactions get tolerated for a lot longer,” Tatum aid. “So for those two to throw me out the game, I was shocked. And it’s like you always say get your money’s worth, right, when you get fined for these techs. And I definitely did not get my money’s worth for getting thrown out the game tonight. But, even if the refs were wrong, they still got the ref the game. They’re gonna get the ref the next game. I got thrown out tonight but it is what it is.”
After being held back by Celtics assistants and Joe Mazzulla, Tatum ultimately headed back to the locker room. Boston went on to rally without him for the team’ third straight win as Tatum watched calmly from the locker room.
“Again, I wasn’t that f****** mad,” Tatum said. “Don’t put that narrative out there. I didn’t throw nothing. I said what I said. There was no magic words, didn’t cuss. Assistant coach was right there, he heard me. I don’t know. Maybe they didn’t want me to play tonight; they was eager to get me out of there. I walked back calmly, I sat in my chair, got some ice. I was not mad, I didn’t throw anything. It was like a joke. I had to laugh it off. So no, I didn’t cry, I didn’t throw anything. I got my ice and watched the rest of the game, watched us win.”
Tatum and the Celtics return to action on Monday night in their in-season tournament quarterfinal game against the Pacers.
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