BOSTON — On the eve of a new season, Jayson Tatum was feeling confident.
Months removed from cementing his status as one of the game’s best in leading the C’s to the NBA Finals, and after a much-needed summer of recovery, Tatum was ready to do it again. It felt like the first day of school for him. He even had his outfit picked out.
“Butterflies?” Tatum was asked. “Not anymore.”
Entering his sixth season, Tatum is sure of himself, knows all the ways he can impact the game, and he knows what it takes to win. And apparently, done with his slow shooting starts – a nod to his self-imposed criticism this preseason.
Of all the question marks facing these Celtics – most notably how they move forward after the season-long suspension of Ime Udoka – Tuesday’s season opener was a reminder that their talent will prevail on most nights, and they have the stars capable of leading them to June again. Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points, and the Celtics ran away from the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half on their way to a 126-117 opening night win at TD Garden.
