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Joe Mazzulla Assigns Blame for Game 2 Defeat After Jayson Tatum’s Strong Statement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated May 8, 2025 2:51 PM ET

Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla reacted to Jayson Tatum's comments after the C's went down 0-2 against the New York Knicks. The New Yorkers returned from a 20-point deficit for the second straight game to take a lead that could be critical for the defending champions.

Tatum, who was triple-teamed in the final possession that secured the Knicks' 91-90 win on Wednesday. The forward couldn't address the media yesterday as there was a fire alarm that forced reporters to exit TD Garden.

On Thursday, he broke down what went wrong during that sequence. Tatum took the blame for that play, admitting he didn't make the best decision.

“I just kind of made the wrong read. Went into a crowded area," Tatum told reporters, per The Athletic's Jay King.

His coach lauded Tatum for taking the blame over that play and his general performance during the series. Mazzulla insisted that he expects Tatum to do better moving forward.

"It's a credit to him.. I appreciate the fact that he would do that, but I think it's on everybody. I expect him to be better," the coach said, per Noa Dalzell of SB Nation.

Joe Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum taking ownership of how he's played in this series:

"It's a credit to him.. I appreciate the fact that he would do that, but I think it's on everybody."

"I expect him to be better."
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 8, 2025

The Celtics find themselves in a complex position after losing two games at home against a team that hasn't been dominant, but has made the right decisions at the right times, especially down the stretch.

The Knicks would like to close the deal at Madison Square Garden, but it's hard to imagine the Celtics would go down without a fight.

Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at the world's most famous arena. Boston can't afford to lose another game, or their season would be pretty much over.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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