Tatum responds to Edwards’ trash talk after C beat Wolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Boston Celtics vs. The Minnesota Timberwolves isn’t the first matchup that comes to mind when it comes to NBA rivalries, but it has become must-see television every time these two teams meet.
Sunday’s game at TD Garden was no exception, as the Celtics escaped TD Garden with a 107-105 victory. The last four games between the C’s and Wolves have been decided in overtime or by a two-point margin.
Boston has emerged victorious in three of those four meetings. But after Minnesota’s only win last season, Wolves star Anthony Edwards Celtics star Jayson Tatum talked trash in a clip that aired on Netflix Starting 5.
“You saw Tatum trying to get me to change, he locked his ass up twice. He started talking s—,” Edwards told his teammates in the locker room after the game. “Tatum was talking like crazy, saying, ‘Yeah, I’m here,’ and then I was like, ‘I’m coming back.’ Talking about the best player in the league, everyone’s going crazy.”
Tatum had his chance to respond to Edwards after leading the C’s to victory on Sunday.
“We had two good games last year,” Tatum said. “Obviously, we spent the summer together at the Olympics. I love Ant. Great player, great competitor. He talks a lot and had a lot to say this summer about the games we played against them last year and I’m excited to play against us this year. So you enjoy playing against the other best players in the league. “It’s always fun and competitive.”
Edwards’ trash talk caught Tatum’s attention, but the 2024 NBA champion didn’t take it personally.
“I saw it. We were talking a lot of s**t over the summer,” Tatum added. “I had a pretty good record against Minnesota in my career. That was the only time they beat us so far.
“But I mean, it’s fun. They’re a really good team, they’re well-coached. They’ve got some talent there, so I’m sure in the near future the games against those guys will be really good.” the fun ones.”
Tatum is 12-1 in his career against Minnesota. He dropped 45 points in the Celtics’ win over the Wolves last season and scored 26 points in Sunday’s win.
Edwards did his part in Sunday’s game, recording a team-high 28 points on 6-of-11 3-point shooting. The 23-year-old has already made a name for himself as one of the league’s biggest stars, but there’s no doubt that Tatum has all the bragging rights at this stage of their respective careers.
Tatum and the C’s will look to get their sixth straight win when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.