Painful elimination in Game 7 of the Conference Finals for the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics, who were able to tie the series after being down 3-0, collapsed again in the decisive Game 7, which was won 84-103 by the Miami Heat.
Disappointing performance for the team’s stars, Jayson Tatum e Jaylen Brown, who shot a total of 13/36 from the field and 2/13 from long distance.
For Tatum counted a lot on theinjury to the left ankle sustained on the very first play of the game. The most classic of “digs,” the most common physical problem on a basketball court, occurred by falling back on Gabe Vincent’s foot after a penetration. A misfortune that affected the entire match.
The sprain had a very high specific weight on the whole rest of the match, it slowed me down a lot. It was really frustrating, I couldn’t move, I was a shadow of my former self. Even more frustrating that it happened in the first action.
Jaylen Brown, for his part, tried to take more responsibility to make up for Tatum’s problems but ended up going out of rotation, never being able to get into the match. In the end he will also close with 8 lost balls and makes mea culpa after the match.
I let the team down when they needed me most. With Tatum’s injury, teammates turned to me for plays I was unable to make. I failed, it’s hard to admit, you have to give credit to Miami has I played a terrible game.
And now the questions about his future. After inclusion in the third NBA quintet he could get an extension at the maximum salary (295 million over five years) but there are many doubts. His deal will expire in 2024 so Boston, before the start of this season, will have to renew him or trade him to avoid losing without getting anything on the court at the end of next season. Also because at the end of next season the deal with Tatum will also expire and if the Celtics were to offer the maximum to both they would have their hands tied in the market.
I expected to win and play the Finals, I was only focused on that but we failed, I failed, so it’s hard to think about anything else right now. My future will be talked about in due time.