The Boston Celtics are in serious trouble in the second round of the playoffs after another devastating loss on Thursday night. The Celtics dropped Game 2 to the New York Knicks with a nail-biting 91-90 finish. The loss left them down 2-0 in the series.
At the center of the storm is Jayson Tatum, as he has fallen short of expectations. In Game 1, he put up 23 points but struggled mightily with his shooting efficiency.
Things took a turn for the worse in Game 2. He played 42 minutes and grabbed 14 rebounds along with five assists. Yet, he managed only 13 points. His shooting woes were evident, but most alarming is his fourth-quarter performance across the two games.
Jayson Tatum is the fakest ‘superstar’ in NBA history.
Not even a debate. pic.twitter.com/4JEaXWhyzE
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) May 8, 2025
In the fourth quarter of this series, Tatum has scored a combined 6 points while shooting just 1-for-11 from the field and missing all nine of his three-point attempts. For a player who was in MVP conversations last season and was expected to lead Boston’s title defense, these numbers are deeply troubling.
Fans Turn On Jayson Tatum After Game 2 Letdown
The backlash against Tatum reached new levels after Game 2. Fans took to social media in droves, expressing disappointment in what they feel is an underwhelming and passive performance from a supposed superstar.
One fan voiced their conflicted emotions by writing, “Tatum I love you dawg but you deserve all the hate you get I ain’t even gonna fake it.“
Tatum I love you dawg but you deserve all the hate you get I ain’t even gonna fake it
— (@TatumCeltics) May 8, 2025
Others were even more direct in questioning his star status.
“Never put Tatum and superstar in the same sentence ever again,” one fan wrote.
never put Tatum and superstar in the same sentence ever again pic.twitter.com/d5LOmsh9BQ
— (@xJahstin) May 8, 2025
A harsher take surfaced with the comment, “Tatum hasn’t earned the right to have the ball with the game on his hands. He doesn’t have that ability. Never has.”
Tatum hasn’t earned the right to have the ball with the game on his hands. He doesn’t have that ability. Never has
— Jason Rexinis (@jnrbos) May 8, 2025
“He’s an over-glazed role player actually,” one comment read.
He’s a over glazed role player actually
— kavish (@kavish30856748) May 8, 2025
Another fan even justified the U.S. Olympic coach Steve Kerr’s decision to keep Tatum on the bench during the Olympics, writing, “Maybe now people will understand why Kerr didn’t play him in the Olympics much.”
Maybe now people will understand why Kerr didn’t play him in the Olympics much
— camd313 (@camd313) May 8, 2025
The series now heads to New York. Unless Jayson Tatum can shake off his slump and silence the doubters, Boston’s hopes of repeating as champions may soon slip away.
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