Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Cherishes ‘Special’ Moment With Son In Win Over Bucks

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum’s seventh birthday was much different than the one his son, Deuce, had Friday.

“I know I wasn’t on a jumbotron at a Celtics game,” Tatum said.

Deuce Tatum was showered with adulation from Celtics fans at TD Garden when he popped up on the video board in the first quarter while his father kept the celebration going with a terrific performance in a 111-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jayson Tatum made several critical plays in the fourth quarter and finished with a game-high 34 points on 12-for-20 shooting from the field to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists.

His son took in the action from his usual courtside seat and Deuce’s birthday served as a reminder to the Celtics star just how much each has grown since Tatum entered the NBA with Boston.

“I think for me and him, it’s special that we share these moments together,” Tatum said. “Deuce was born Dec. 6, 2017, that was a month-and-a-half into my rookie year. And it’s crazy now he’s seven and how much time has passed. But it’s been really special. We’ve grown up together here in Boston and shared a lot of cool moments and special moments here at the Garden.

“He was excited about the game today. He liked being on the jumbotron. It was a pretty cool moment for a seven-year-old.”

Tatum certainly kept his focus on the task at hand against an opponent he and the Celtics are well-familiar with. The Celtics and the Bucks have played each other three times in the playoffs since Tatum’s arrival, with Boston taking two of those series.

Friday felt like a playoff game between the Celtics and Bucks — Tatum disagreed with that notion — as they battled back and forth with the lead changing hands 14 times. Tatum was instrumental in helping the Celtics create just enough separation, hitting a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter and followed it up with a four-point play.

He made three critical assists in the final frame, too, including a terrific read to Jrue Holiday, who connected on a floater with 25.1 seconds left to help get the Celtics past the finish line.

All of it, from his son’s birthday to all the plays Tatum made, created another memorable night for the Tatum family.

“It wasn’t a playoff game, but it was a special night,” Tatum said. “This is my eighth year and these nights where you’re playing a team that’s really good, has some special players, the crowd is really involved and guys are making plays and you’re feeding off the energy of your teammates of the crowd. The amount of times we’ve won games in moments like that, it’s just like another special night at TD Garden that I’ve been a part of.”