The Boston Celtics flattened the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, but if revenge was a factor for the team, it was less so than simply a part of a greater goal according to star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum even as he acknowledged the sting of previous losses to the Suns as a factor.
“Honestly, they kicked our (expletive) the last two times we were here, and we remembered,” he related via CLNS Media after Boston’s 125-98 blowout victory. “That was fresh in our mind, and we wanted to have a different outcome.”
The St. Louis native kept the win in context, however.
“I think everybody in the locker room understands what we’re trying to do,” explained Tatum. “We realize that we’ve got the best record; we’re 21-5. With that comes the decision every night to play the right way, to play as hard as we can on both ends.”
Celtics Lab 157: Making sense of royal NBA fans and World Cup play with Josh Coyne https://t.co/UKVgqL5kZR
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 8, 2022
“I wouldn’t say we’re playing angry, we’re having a lot of fun. But the goal is still the same — to get back to the finals and get over that hump.”
“So while we’re having fun and happy with the way we’re playing, nobody in that locker room is celebrating or satisfied,” added Tatum. “None of this means anything if we don’t hang a banner. That’s the ultimate goal.”
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