The Boston Celtics swept the Toronto Raptors in the season series on Easter Sunday with a 115-101 victory at TD Garden. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 49 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists between them. Tatum recorded his sixth double-double in seven games. Brown shot 55 percent from the floor and closed the game with a scoring burst that put the Raptors away in the fourth quarter.
Boston is 53-25 with four games left. The second seed is all but sewn up. Both franchise cornerstones are healthy and producing at elite levels heading into the postseason.
On a livestream, Brown was asked about his partnership with Tatum. His answer revealed how he thinks about what they are building together.
What Brown Said About Tatum Partnership
Brown was asked if him and Tatum remind himself of any past duos.
“Not really. We’re on our own journey,” Brown said. “We’re just two guys who love hoop, just trying to win and create a legacy.”
Brown believes what he and Tatum are building stands on its own. In Celtics history. In NBA history. He is not interested in chasing another duo’s shadow. He wants to create something with Tatum that gets mentioned on its own terms long after both of them are done playing.
The confidence behind that statement has been earned this season. Brown carried the Celtics through most of the year without Tatum. He averaged 28.6 points per game during that stretch and elevated every other dimension of his game in the process. With Tatum back, the Celtics look like true contenders.
The Partnership Has Reached a New Level
Tatum returned on March 6 and slotted back in without disruption. The two have found a rhythm that looks different from previous seasons. There is a balance to how they share the floor that has gone up a level.
Tatum spoke about Brown’s evolution after the pair combined for 68 points in a franchise-record-setting win over the Miami Heat earlier this month. He praised Brown’s ability to read the floor and highlighted the two-way growth that has defined Brown’s season. The respect between them has never been more visible.
The numbers since Tatum’s return tell the story. Tatum has posted double-doubles in six of his last seven games. Brown has continued scoring at an elite clip while adjusting his role to accommodate his co-star’s return.
What makes this partnership different from earlier seasons is the maturity. Brown shouldered the franchise alone for months and thrived. Tatum fought through a grueling rehab and came back hungry. Both players have been through something this year that changed the dynamic between them. The shared adversity created a foundation that did not exist before.
GettyJaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics Are Ready for the Playoffs
Boston sits ahead of the New York Knicks in the race for the second seed. Four games remain on the schedule.
The Celtics will Charlotte Hornets up next, before facing the Knicks.
Nikola Vucevic returned Sunday and will continue ramping up his minutes. Neemias Queta has emerged as one of the most improved players in the league. The roster is the healthiest it has been all season. Every piece is in place.
Final Word for the Celtics
Brown does not want comparisons. He wants a legacy. He and Tatum are writing their own story, and this season has given it a chapter unlike any that came before.
Brown held the franchise together alone. Tatum clawed his way back from an injury that could have derailed his career. Now they are side by side again, playing the best basketball of their partnership.
Two guys who love hoop. Ready to lead the Celtics in the playoffs.
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