May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) warms up before the start of game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images David Butler II-Imagn Images

Celtics' Jayson Tatum Downplays Home Court Advantage

Originally posted on Boston Celtics on SI
By Nelson Espinal | Last updated May 13, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum played a crucial role in the team's comeback against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, all while battling the loud Madison Square Garden crowd.

Typically, in the playoffs, the teams with home-court advantage are seen as being in the driver's seat for the remainder of the series, due to how hostile the home team's fans can be toward the visiting teams.

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MSG is recognized as one of the loudest crowds in the league, chanting insults at the opposing team and screaming their lungs out when a team makes a significant play that makes any momentum shift feel palpable.

Jayson Tatum owns Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/4Tz6PSiIQZ
— Celtics Repeat SZN (@sadstevekerr) May 11, 2025

Despite the significant challenges of playing at MSG, the Celtics remained steady against the Knicks in Game 3 to clinch a comfortable victory.

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Tatum downplayed the disadvantage that the Celtics faced in Game 3, chalking up playing in hostile environments to just being a part of the task at hand.

“It’s the playoffs. It’s gonna be a different narrative, essentially after every game,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said. “I’ve been on record, I’ve talked about it a lot, not riding the emotional roller-coaster after a win or loss. We’ve been through a lot of games, a lot of series together.

“Home court is important. Being great in front of our fans is important — we value their support. But at the same time, if you wanna be special, if you wanna be great, you gotta win some games on the road. But more importantly, it’s about responding.”

After stubbornly refusing to adjust the team's game plan, head coach Joe Mazzulla's philosophy paid off in a major way, as the team shot 50 percent from three in Game 3 and the whole team contributed to the win.

Neither Tatum nor his running mate Jaylen Brown delivered standout performances; instead, the entire team moved the ball effectively and created opportunities for each other in classic Celtics fashion, all while forcing the Knicks to earn every basket.