Tatum isn’t the only player who deserves scrutiny for the team going down 0-2 in the series to the rival Knicks. Mazzulla and the defense haven’t figured out how to slow down Brunson in the biggest moments. The team-wide turnovers and overall shot selection are problems. Kristaps Porziņģis has barely played due to an illness.

Jayson Tatum is owning up to his struggles through the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals as the Boston Celtics face an 0-2 hole against the New York Knicks. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Tatum stated he has to "be better" and expects "to be a lot better" for Game 3 in Madison Square Garden.

I take full ownership of the way that I’ve played in this series,” Jayson Tatum said Thursday. “I can’t sugarcoat anything. I need to be better.”