Celtics’ Jayson Tatum questions ejection vs. short-handed 76ers

BOSTON — Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn’t believe his actions merited a second technical foul and ejection in the final moments of the third quarter of Boston’s 125-119 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night at TD Garden .

“I was extremely surprised [I was ejected]” Tatum said. “I mean, you all saw what happened. I might not know what I said, but I mean, I guess what I said doesn’t matter at this point. I don’t agree with that. One of the assistant coaches was there with me, he disagreed. But that doesn’t really matter, does it? …When they throw you out, they throw you out.

“Even if I was right, you know, they could go back and talk about it after the game. It’s not like we get this game back, I don’t get this time back. It’s unfortunate, but like I said it, I can It doesn’t change what happened. Just the way the players compete and affect the game. The referees have an effect on the game. So they sent me off and wrongly or rightly so, it’s their word against ours. But I can’t get that time back.”

Tatum’s ejection occurred with 2.1 seconds left in the third period, when – after being called for an offensive foul against 76ers forward Robert Covington that was reviewed by officials and turned into a flagrant foul 1 – Tatum was ejected by referee Nick Buchert after choosing his second technical.

According to a pool report with crew chief Bill Kennedy, Tatum did several things that warranted ejection.

“After a loose ball foul was called to Jayson, Jayson continued to complain and was repeatedly asked to head to his bench,” Kennedy said. “He continued to complain about the foul called on the field and the open gestures towards the officials and was assessed a second technical foul.”

Tatum, however, appeared to be having a conversation with Kennedy when he was ejected. As this was happening, Buchert and Phenizee Ransom waved him off at the same time, leaving Tatum and Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee with confused looks on their faces.

After a few moments, Tatum then turned around and left the field.

“They were ready to throw me out,” Tatum said with a smile when asked if he swore before his second technique. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t say a bad word.

“Bill and I were having a conversation, and the other two referees, again, like I said, referees can have an effect on the game. They have an effect on the game, on the result.”

And even though the result was in Boston’s favor – a night when Philadelphia trailed despite the absence of reigning MVP Joel Embiid, star guard Tyrese Maxey, both sidelined due to illness, and starter Nicolas Batum injured finger – Tatum, who finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 21 minutes, I didn’t think it was fair.

“I don’t agree with that,” he said. “I’ve been in the league for quite a long time. I’ve seen much worse behavior and reactions, I’ve been tolerated a lot longer. So when those two kicked me out of the game, I was shocked It’s like you always say, ‘Get your money’s worth when you get fined for these technologies, and I certainly didn’t get my money’s worth by getting kicked out of the game tonight.’

Tatum was happy, however, that Boston was able to win without him. Facing the short-handed 76ers, led by 26 points from Patrick Beverley, the Celtics got 10 fourth-quarter points from Payton Pritchard to earn the victory.

“Everybody stepped up,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That’s just kind of the team we have. Credit to them. I think they did a great job executing on both ends of the floor. I think the guys just did what they had to do to win.”

On the other hand, the 76ers were satisfied with the effort despite a lack of personnel. Beverley was one of the few players to play well for Philadelphia, which has four days off before Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards.

“You have to play the game and you want to try to play it the right way,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said. “You want to play hard and you want to execute and you just want to give everything you’ve got. … That’s what our guys did. And hopefully that gives some of them a little bit of confidence.

“I’m glad we had a little break here. It’s going to take us a few days to get everyone healthy, and we’re going to need a few days of practice, and then we’ll have a big December which awaits us.”

The Sixers could have Kelly Oubre Jr. back in Washington, which is positive injury news. Nurse said the team believes he will be available to practice fully on Monday, paving the way for his potential return.

For Boston, December will begin with a game Monday in Indianapolis against the Pacers to kick off the quarterfinals of the season’s tournament — a game that could also see the return of Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who has been out for a week with a calf injury .

Tatum’s weekend started early, however. And, at the end of his press conference, he was asked what he did to calm down after being kicked out.

“Then again, I wasn’t that crazy,” he said with a smile and a laugh. “Don’t spread that narrative. I didn’t start anything. I said what I said. There were no magic words, the assistant coach was there. … I don’t know. Maybe- be they didn’t want me to play tonight. They couldn’t wait to get me out.

“[After I was ejected], I returned calmly. I sat down in my chair, got some ice cream. I wasn’t crazy; I didn’t throw anything… it was like a joke. I had to laugh about it. So no, I don’t cry, I throw anything away. I got my ice cream, watched the rest of the game and saw us win. »