MEMPHIS — The Celtics got their ninth straight win on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies but it did not come without a little bit of drama. Jayson Tatum was whistled for his 13th technical foul of the season in the fourth quarter, putting him within striking distance of a potential suspension (16 technicals is a one-game suspension).
Official Tony Brothers made the call after Tatum was stripped on a drive from the corner. There were only two officials on the floor for the entire second half due to an injury, making things a little physical at times, sometimes without the right calls. Tatum tried to converse with Brothers on his way up the floor and again after Boston was whistled for a foul on the other end. Ultimately, Tatum was given the technical after Scottie Pippen Jr. attempted a free throw for the subsequent foul call.
Following the exchange, Tatum still was puzzled by the call by Brothers.
“I don’t know,” Tatum said about what led to the technical. “Depends on the night. Some things you say on a Tuesday, it’s cool. You say them on a Saturday, they give you a technical. I ain’t got that (expletive) figured out yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”
The technical foul did not come back to bite Boston, as the visitors immediately went on a 7-0 run after the whistle to put the game away on their way to a 117-103 victory.
Tatum currently ranks fifth in the NBA with technical fouls at 13, putting him behind Anthony Edwards, Isaiah Stewart, Dillon Brooks and Trae Young. Edwards was suspended earlier this month for reaching 16 technical fouls, which triggered a one-game suspension. Tatum only has seven regular season games remaining so he will need to avoid getting three more in that stretch to avoid a suspension.
No other Celtics players have more than six technical fouls with Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis next in line with six each.
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