Celtics’ Jayson Tatum cherishes ‘special’ moment with son in victory over Bucks

BOSTON – Jayson Tatum’s seventh birthday was much different than the one his son, Deuce, had on Friday.

“I know I wasn’t on a jumbotron at a Celtics game,” Tatum said.

Deuce Tatum was showered with adulation from Celtics fans at TD Garden when he appeared on the video board in the first quarter while his father kept the celebration going with a stellar performance in a 111-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jayson Tatum made several critical plays in the fourth quarter, finishing with 34 points on 12-for-20 shooting from the field to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists.

His son took over the action from his usual courtside seat, and Deuce’s birthday served as a reminder to the Celtics star of how much they’ve each grown since Tatum entered the NBA with Boston.

“I think it’s special for me and him that we share these moments together,” Tatum said. “Deuce was born on December 6, 2017, which was a month and a half into my rookie year. And it’s crazy now he’s seven and how much time has passed. But it has been very special. We grew up together here in Boston and shared a lot of great moments and special moments here in the garden.

“He was excited about the game today. He liked being on the jumbotron. It was a pretty cool moment for a seven-year-old.”

Tatum certainly kept his focus on the task at hand against an opponent he and the Celtics are very familiar with. The Celtics and Bucks have played each other three times in the playoffs since Tatum’s arrival, with Boston taking two of those series.

Friday felt like a playoff game between the Celtics and the Bucks — Tatum disagreed with that notion — as they battled back and forth as the lead changed hands 14 times. Tatum helped the Celtics create just enough separation, hitting a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter and following it up with a four-point play.

He also made three critical assists in the final frame, including a great read to Jrue Holiday, who connected on a floater with 25.1 seconds left to help get the Celtics past the goal line.

It all, from his son’s birthday to all the plays Tatum made, made for another memorable night for the Tatum family.

“It wasn’t a playoff game, but it was a special night,” Tatum said. “This is my eighth year and these nights when you’re playing against a team that’s really good, has some special players, the crowd is really involved and guys are playing and you feed off the energy of your teammates in the crowd. The number of times , we’ve won games in moments like that, is like another special night at TD Garden that I’ve been a part of.”