A Celtics title under his belt, Jayson Tatum is enjoying the 2026 NBA Finals
· Yahoo Sports
Boston Celtics fans have had a rough summer. First, they watched their team get bounced from the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs by the rival Philadelphia 76ers. Now, they must look on as the rival New York Knicks approach their first title in over 50 years.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum isn't as bothered by the latter. He'd rather be fighting for a championship at the moment than sitting at home, but he's not actively rooting against the hated Knicks, who eliminated the C's in six games last postseason and are just one win away from prevailing over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals. In fact, the six-time All-Star is viewing the series with no animosity at all.
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"I'm not rooting for anybody, I'm also not rooting against anybody," Tatum told Front Office Sports when asked if he was annoyed watching the Knicks go up 3-1 in the Finals. "I think it does help that I've won a championship already, so (that) helps me sleep a little better at night. I just enjoy watching good basketball games."
Tatum has always been a hoop head and is far from a vengeful player. On occasion, he's had some trash talk for Celtics foes like the Miami Heat and the 76ers, yet it's rare to see him degrade other teams.
Taking the high road won't be as easy for Celtics fans. They don't own the championship hardware that Tatum took home in 2024 and they (depending on how long they've been alive) have a longer history of hating the Knicks, and New York sports in general.
Regardless, the best plan of action for Tatum and the Celtics won't come from jeering the Knicks or cheering on the Spurs. It'll stem from analyzing the Finals with little bias and learning what they can do better for next year when the quest for banner No. 19 begins anew.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Knicks? Spurs? Jayson Tatum is watching the 2026 NBA Finals with no bias