Jayson Tatum botching another game-winner in Knicks 20-point comeback win has fans fuming: “Such a fraud”
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum had two opportunities to win Game 1 of their playoff series against the New York Knicks.

Jayson Tatum costs Boston Celtics another playoff game (Image via Firstsportz)
When the New York Knicks punched their ticket to the second round, not everyone was convinced they could hang in there with the Boston Celtics. The combination of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and a deep championship-winning roster might be too much for Jalen Brunson and his teammates.
The initial three quarters of Game 1 seemingly proved that notion as the defending champions raced out to a lead. But Brunson helped his team stage a comeback, took the game to overtime, and went on to famously win at TD Garden.
In that game, Jayson Tatum’s late-game misses were a much-talked-about topic. Fans did not understand how he could not seal the game when two opportunities fell into his lap. Celtics fans hoped this would spark a comeback in Game 2.
Again, the reigning champions raced out to a lead in front of their home fans. At one point, after OG Anunoby’s monster dunk was ruled as an offensive foul, fans believed the officials were seemingly helping the Celtics.
With 3:12 seconds to go, all that resulted in a healthy 20-point lead. But that is when the game started to change. The New York Knicks started a comeback rally that saw them overcome that deficit and edge out a 1-point lead.
But the Celtics still had 12 seconds on the final possession. Jayson Tatum brought the ball up, dribbled past Mitchell Robinson, and almost reached the rim. OG Anunoby came over to help, which forced Tatum to change direction and dribble away.
TATUM DOESN'T GET THE SHOT OFF ‼️
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 8, 2025
KNICKS WIN GAME 2 🤯 pic.twitter.com/q8JH0dYKvU
Then, as he saw Mikal Bridges coming over to help, he tried to get the ball to Jaylen Brown. But Bridges got a hand on it and the Knicks retained possession to win the game 91-90. These two botched game-winners in a row for Tatum.
Fans tear into Jayson Tatum for costing Celtics another game
The problem basketball fans have is that in two back-to-back instances, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave Jayson Tatum chances to convert the last-second shot. Now, he has blown both chances to push his team into a dreadful 0-2 deficit.
Fans also know that the New York Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden, knowing they can do the unexpected and finish the series at home. That is where those fans have a problem with Tatum. They saw how he had single-handedly cost them two games, but many still consider him to be a great player. Social media is full of fan comments questioning his greatness. Check out examples of those below.
Tatum is such a fraud omg
— charc (@XOcharc) May 8, 2025
Joe, Tatum, Brown and the Celtics need their ass whipped!!! Another embarrassing performance at Home
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 8, 2025
Steve Kerr thinking about the critics when he benched Jayson Tatum at the Olympics pic.twitter.com/1yJjJpn3GQ
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 8, 2025
Tatum doing a Harden 😜
— InvestorX (@Investor_x1) May 8, 2025
Easily the most overrated superstar in the league. A consistent playoff choker and the absolute furthest from being a clutch player.
— Kami (@___Kami___13) May 8, 2025
Dude just has a nice PR team around him despite not even being the best playing in Boston.
Sad.
Red Auerbach would be rolling in his grave, blowing massive leads at home to the Knicks at home
— Mr_Ives (@Mr_Ives_) May 8, 2025
And he wonders why he's not in the conversation for the best player. Performances like this when it matters.
— Shaqdaddy (@shaqdaddy4020) May 8, 2025
That’s EXACTLY why Steve Kerr had Tatum ass riding that bench and serving waters in the lympics
— The Black Supreme Kai (@BlackSupremeKai) May 8, 2025
Jayson Tatum could have avoided running into a logjam under the rim had he read the floor. But the blame should also go to Joe Mazzulla, after his continuous directive to shoot three-pointers has again cost them a game. The Celtics shot 10-40 from the three, which is enough proof that it is not working.
‘F**k Boston’ chants fill streets of New York
The Boston Celtics will need to figure out quickly how to fix their game. They are lacking both offensively as well as defensively as these two-straight losses have proved. They have to get their act together, as New York Knicks fans are already hyping themselves up. After this second-straight comeback win, they took to the streets and chanted.

F**k Boston.
Knicks fans chanting collectively in New York
WE OUTSIDEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/hMCmq4lqaj
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) May 8, 2025
This means they will be in full strength, screaming at the top of their lungs, cheering their team. They know their team has both the momentum and the psychological advantage to win the series at home. If they do, that additional rest will bode well for their NBA championship hopes.
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