Jayson Tatum’s ‘(expletive) it’ moment set tone for ‘special’ Celtics night

Jayson Tatum’s pregame call for a repeat was unplanned, according to the Celtics superstar.

Tatum, who closed Boston’s championship ring ceremony with the line “To the best fans in the world, let’s do it again,” said he had different remarks prepared. But the frenzied energy inside TD Garden prompted him to pivot and speak from the heart.

“I planned something to say, but I got caught up in the moment,” he said after the Celtics followed up Tuesday night’s banner raising with an emphatic 132-109 win over the New York Knicks. “I was overwhelmed. I was, like, in awe, and my emotions got the best of me. I know we’re not supposed to talk about repeating, but the fans were just so excited, like, (expletive) it, let’s do it again.”

Tatum and his teammates are trying to become the first NBA team since 2018 and the first Celtics team since 1969 to repeat as champions. Boston invited several former title-winners back to Causeway Street for Tuesday’s festivities, including Bob Cousy, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Having franchise legends back in the building made the night even more “special” to Tatum.

“I didn’t see Bob Cousy play, but I remember the Celtics winning a championship in 2008,” he said. “I was like 10 years old. I watched Ray and Paul and KG. I grew up watching those guys, and it was like a full-circle moment for them to come back and share that moment with us and kind of pass the torch or whatever that symbolized.

“I’m still a fan of those guys. They are part of my childhood. So that was an incredible moment, dapping it up with them. KG was screaming in my ear, and I was like, ‘Man, I’m really talking to Kevin Garnett right now.’ I never take those moments for granted. I still think that (expletive) is still cool, to be a part of things like that.”

Tatum also shared a moment with the wheelchair-bound, 96-year-old Cousy, who won six championships with Boston during his Hall of Fame career.

“He’s one of the first Celtics, NBA legends,” Tatum said. “I got to shake his hand. He said some kind words to me. I mean, he’s a legend. Came out in a wheelchair, threw deuces up and everybody went crazy. That really set it off. So, I got to meet and take a picture with Bob Cousy — something that will live forever, I hope.”

The Celtics then put on quite the show for those icons, demolishing a Knicks team that should be one of their top challengers in the Eastern Conference. Tatum became the first player in franchise history to record more than 35 points and 10 assists while shooting better than 75% from the floor, and Boston tied the single-game NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers.

“Tonight was special,” Tatum said. “It was everything I thought it would be and more.”