Tatum Reflects on Enjoying Basketball in the Offseason

Jayson Tatum has a simple pleasure during the offseason: watching “good basketball.”

The Celtics star caught the Knicks’ remarkable comeback victory in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. While it was an impressive performance, he wasn’t cheering for either side.

“I’m not really rooting for anyone, nor do I wish for anyone to lose,” Tatum mentioned, noting that his previous championship win provides him with a relaxed perspective. “I think it helps that I’ve already won a championship. I sleep a little better at night because of it,” he shared.

This particular series has the Knicks ahead 3-1, and their recent game was quite the spectacle. After trailing by 29 points, they pulled off a historic win, culminating in OG Anunoby’s tip-in with just one second left on the clock.

It’s worth mentioning that the Knicks have often been a challenge for Tatum. Just last season, they eliminated the Celtics in a thrilling six-game series during the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tatum had to watch from the sidelines after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 4, which effectively ended his season and kept him out for much of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Now, at 28, Tatum reflected on how past successes make it a bit easier to enjoy the Finals without the pressure. “So, yeah, I just appreciate good basketball,” he concluded, a clear nod to his enjoyment of the game, even when he’s not actively playing.

Tatum did miss out on the opportunity to play in Game 7 against the Sixers, due to a calf injury, which cost the Celtics a chance at facing the Knicks in the next round.