Jayson Tatum is not happy about being called for a technical foul in the fourth quarter of Boston’s 114-98 win over New York on Monday.
“I shouldn’t have got the tech,” Tatum told reporters after the game.
“It’s tough because it’s an emotional game. I understand there’s a fine line, but it’s the fourth quarter. We’re playing defense.
“What I said, [it was] nothing crazy, so for the ref on the other side to give me a tech, it wasn’t right.”
The call didn’t stop Tatum from imposing his will on the game, finishing with 35 points, six rebounds and seven assists on 56 percent shooting from the field as the Celtics improved to 8-2 on the season.
Tatum taking issue with being penalised for showing emotion came just one night after Anthony Edwards was controversially called for doing the same thing.
Edwards was assessed a technical for “taunting” and the referee’s decision was the topic of much discussion online afterwards.
“Can we stop giving guys techs for stare downs,” Austin Rivers said in a post on X that went viral.
“It’s stupid and takes away from the game. Happened again tonight with Ant. Yall want guys to compete and play with an edge. It’s all passion nothing personal. Stop that Bs.
READ MORE: Kawhi Leonard’s Frustration Mounting Amid Clippers’ Struggles
