What happened: Jayson Tatum connected on three consecutive baskets late in the fourth quarter to seal Boston's victory. After recording 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the first half, he added four assists and three rebounds after the break to finish with a full two-way line.

Why it matters: The late-game scoring burst underscores Tatum's primary playmaking and closing role for a reshaped Boston roster opening the 2026-27 regular season. Generating steals and rebounds alongside fourth-quarter shot creation allowed Boston to control possession in crunch time.

What to watch: Boston continues its opening-week regular-season slate with Tatum anchoring the primary offensive workload.