Celtics
Jayson Tatum pulled out high-low luxury, Kristaps Porzingis suited up, and Sam Hauser made an appearance on the pregame runway.
Jayson Tatum wore Hermès before Saturday's Celtics-Lakers matchup. AP Photo/Mark Stockwell
As the Celtics faced the Lakers in a game with playoff energy, the tunnel style showed they understood the assignment with the fashion reflecting the significance of the moment. The highly anticipated primetime game between historic rivals with the hottest ticket in town was a moment.
So were the fits. This Celtics-Lakers matchup had Jayson Tatum stepping out in the highest of high-end drip and Kristaps Porzingis stepping up in style. Even Sam Hauser showed off sartorial skill, and Jaylen Brown expressed effortless confidence in eye-catching accessories.
Some games mean a little more and demand a little extra.
Advertisement:
Under the bright lights of national spotlight, Tatum wore the equivalent of “breaking out the fine china” for a special dinner party. Saturday night called for something different. Saturday night called for Hermès.
Tatum loves to look good, but more often than not keeps his wardrobe humble, regularly reaching for ready-to-wear apparel, boutique streetwear designers, or lesser known indie brands. Most nights he leans into accessibility and comfort, but Tatum will reach for the good stuff when the occasion calls for it, like a visit to the White House or an appearance at All-Star Weekend.
Advertisement:
Paired with a simple white tee, Tatum balanced luxury and simplicity with a “high-low” fashion statement that mirrors his polished and restrained gameplay. On the floor, he switched things up in Jordan Tatum 3s bursting with a hue signaling the iconic Hermès orange box.
Brown, the first scorer of the night for Boston, wore fresh 741s in a crisp colorway so white you need the utmost confidence to cleanly pull them off.
Before tipoff, Brown suited up in a sort of ninja armor. Combining pinstripe trousers, leather gloves, a face covering with a slivered opening, and an army green jacket, the look expressed a sense of readiness on a night when all eyes would be on the MVP and superstar.
Porzingis has long been about his suits — almost like a hockey guy. Tailored and structured is how he introduced himself to Boston.
For most of this season, Porzingis has kept things low-key in lots of sweats, but Saturday night he cleaned up for the Lakers. Porzingis arrived in a heather gray suit in a return to his formal aesthetic.
Hauser hardly walks the tunnel, but to mark the moment, we saw him take to the runway in a fit that was not extravagant, but clearly intentional, slightly elevated, and obviously put-together. Just like for the D.C. visit, just as he does in clutch moments, Hauser showed up where and when it counted.
Advertisement:
The kicks contributed to the celebratory vibe. Brown wore his White Noise, LeBron James may have trolled in a shoe color that cut it close to action green, and Doncic played the first half in a showing of Lakers loyalty with sneakers the color of the night’s statement uniform.
When the stage is big, the NBA fashion follows. In a game played between legends that carried weight, the fashion felt just right. The caliber of the outfits matched the caliber of the game. The outfits matched the moment without outshining the moment itself. They fit.
Sign up for Celtics updates🏀
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season.