Jayson Tatum Called out by NBA Twitter as Struggles Persist in Game 6 Finals Loss

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJune 17, 2022

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors ran the Boston Celtics off their own court en route to a 103-90 win in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to clinch their seventh championship.

Boston led 14-2 early, but the Warriors responded with a 35-8 run capped by a 21-0 stretch for a 37-22 second-quarter lead. The C's cut the lead down to eight points on multiple occasions but could not come any closer.

Numerous factors led to Boston's ugly loss, but Celtics forward Jayson Tatum's continued struggles stood out. He scored just 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting with five turnovers to cap a 36.7 percent NBA Finals shooting performance. Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins notably played excellent defense on him in Game. 6.

Tatum, a member of the All-NBA First Team, is the primary reason why Boston made the Finals for the first time since 2010. The 24-year-old will undoubtedly be part of many playoff runs down the road as well.

This series simply wasn't his best effort, though, and analysts and fans on NBA Twitter pointed out Tatum's struggles.

Robin Lundberg @robinlundberg
Jayson Tatum has been fairly dreadful this series.

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Chris Williamson @CWilliamson44
Tatum and finishing at the rim this series has been very underwhelming to say the least man.

Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Wow. Tatum passes up a wide open corner 3, drives, the crowd audibly yells "shoot it!" and he travels.

StatMuse @statmuse
Jayson Tatum is the first player in NBA history with 100 turnovers in a single postseason. <a href="https://t.co/Jd7PKvYHCJ">pic.twitter.com/Jd7PKvYHCJ</a>

DeVonta Smith @DeVontaSmith_6
JT ain’t got no dog in him mane …

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Andrew Wiggins has Jayson Tatum on punishment. Lockdown. No outside for you on a sunny day

Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Andrew Wiggins with the clamps on Jayson Tatum again. What a series

Cam Heyward @CamHeyward
If Tatum wants to really be Kobe he’s got to develop a post game. All the Celtics drive and shoot

Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Let's just be honest, Jayson Tatum looked more like a #2 than a #1 all series against the Warriors.<br><br>Tatum is 24 so there's plenty of time to grow into his prime, and he took steps forward this postseason for the Celtics. But he's not that guy just yet.

It was an ugly ending to an otherwise sensational season for Tatum and the C's, who should contend for the NBA title again next year. For now, though, the Celtics' season is over after a brutal finish.