Even though the Boston Celtics lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, Jayson Tatum’s play was very clear. His play as the Celtics’ offensive hub was just as amazing as his defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the fourth quarter, which didn’t get much attention.

After a string of bad shooting games, including some horribly timed pull-up threes, Tatum took over late on. The Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 126–97 on Friday, and he didn’t wait until the last frame.

Tatum got taken out of the game with 4:01 left in the third, but he still scored 30 points, grabbed nine rebounds, gave five assists, stole one ball, and blocked one. He made 6 of 12 shots from the floor and 5 of 8 shots from beyond the arc.

Joe Mazzulla said that Tatum’s change from being the main scorer to the offensive hub was due to him being calm, slowing down, taking what the defense gives him, reading the defense, and knowing everyone around him. “Everyone around him makes him a better player, and we’re a better team when everyone is a threat.” It helps him do his job better.”

Early in the game, Utah used a zone defense against the Celtics, but Tatum’s performance at the free-throw line quickly stopped them. The Jazz had to send two because of his drives. The defense had to send two people because he was in the paint. Tatum was an absolute nightmare for the Jazz.

But he had more power over the game than just being a guide.

According to Mazzulla, that was kind of clear tonight when he was able to get more catch-and-shoot chances. “How well he could get to the free throw line. It’s kind of like what the guys know: the guy next to you will make your job easy.

“That’s what makes us a good team. If we keep believing that, we can get better as a group.” He’s taking his time with his reads and switching things up. He screens the ball, handles the ball, and plays off-ball. In that way, the whole team has really grown.”

Even though he is now the Celtics’ boss, Tatum has often been the team’s main scorer during his career. End of sentence. Now, things are different than last year.

Over the summer, Boston got two players who are good enough to be All-Stars. This means they have to feed more people. Tatum is still on the NBA’s first team of All-Stars. The candidate for MVP. And based on the numbers, the top in points. That’s no longer his only job, though.

Instead, as the team’s main scorer, he has to deal with the defense pressure that comes with it while also helping his peers do well. He’s taking on this new task head-on and doing very well at it.

Tatum said, “Different games offer different challenges.” “All you have to do is read the game.” It’s not exactly taking a back seat; it’s just knowing what we have, how we’re trying to attack, and what skills we have. Making things easier for myself and everyone else.”