Jayson Tatum Sends Paolo Banchero Message After Magic's Loss to Celtics
Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics closed their first-round series in a 120-89 Game 5 win against the Orlando Magic in the TD Garden. Tatum was the focal point for Boston's closeout win as he contributed 35 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds on 62.5% shooting.
The star-studded matchup between Tatum and Paolo Banchero did not disappoint; Tatum was the No. 3 pick in the 2017 draft out of Duke, while Banchero was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft also out of Duke. Banchero averaged 29.4 points and 8.4 rebounds on 43.5% shooting in the five games, while 27-year-old Tatum averaged 31.3 points and 11.3 rebounds on 44.7% shooting in four games (via StatMuse).
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0).Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Tatum, who is seen as a mentor to Banchero, gave credit to the one-time All-Star after a hard-fought series.
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'I got to talk to [Banchero] a little bit in the hallway after the game. I didn't say two words to him during the series,' said Tatum. '... He was unbelievable this series. He made it tough on us, he's a matchup nightmare. He's only going to continue to get better and better, and I'm certain we'll have many more battles in the upcoming years.'
Banchero only played 46 games this season, largely in part due to missing 34 straight games due to an oblique injury. Despite the smaller sample size compared to his previous two seasons (72 and 80 games played, respectively), the 2023 Rookie of the Year averaged career-highs this season with 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
The Celtics now await the winner of the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons for the Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. Boston will have home-court advantage regardless of the opponent due to their second seed in the conference.
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Related: Magic Coach Sends Message on Major Accusation After Jayson Tatum Injury
Related: Celtics Legend Sends Clear Jayson Tatum, Steve Kerr Message After Olympics
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