Welcome to “One Play!” Throughout the 2021-22 NBA season, our TSN Staff will break down certain possessions from certain games and peel back the curtains to reveal their bigger meaning.
Today, Celtics star Jayson Tatum takes the spotlight.
Context: Jayson Tatum couldn't buy a bucket in Game 1 of the Finals, and yet he still made his presence felt.
Al Horford (26), Jaylen Brown (24), Derrick White (21) and Marcus Smart (18) each finished with more points than Tatum (12) on a night he shot 3-for-17 from the field, but he dished out a game-high 13 assists while committing only two turnovers.
In the process, Tatum broke a record previously held by John Stockton, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. Not bad company for him to be in.
There was a specific way that Tatum was able to punish the Warriors with his passing in Game 1.
You know what that means — to the film room!
The play:
Breakdown: Tatum brings the ball up the court for the Celtics following a layup from Draymond Green.
As Tatum approaches the halfcourt, White moves toward him to set a screen. The plan? Put Stephen Curry in a pick-and-roll in an effort to get him switched onto Tatum.