Jayson Tatum Says Joel Embiid’s MVP Ceremony Fired Him Up in Game 3

• Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum said Joel Embiid's MVP ceremony motivated him to win Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers
• Tatum and the Celtics spoiled EMbiid's incredible night by beating his Sixers 114-102 to take a 2-1 series lead
• The Celtics will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead back to Boston on Sunday in Game 4

Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum wanted to win the game more after watching Joel Embiid's MVP ceremony before Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tatum was in the locker room as Embiid was presented with the award and could feel the thunderous crowd at the Wells Fargo center.

The Celtics had one goal in mind. Win the game. They went ahead to inflict a painful defeat after Embiid's MVP ceremony.

They won 114-102 to take a 2-1 series lead after losing the first game following James Harden's 45-point eruption in Game 1.

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Tatum had an underwhelming Game 2 performance. The 2023 NBA All-Star game MVP was held to just seven points in 19 minutes because of some early foul trouble. However, in Game 3, he led Boston with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field, along with 10 rebounds and five assists, per the Athletic.

Six Celtics players scored in double figures.

Tatum fueled by Embiid's MVP ceremony

After the game, Tatum said the ceremony made him focus on the game more. He also congratulated Embiid for winning the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy.

"It just got me really ready to play," Tatum said. "You could feel the energy from the crowd and the building. I'm happy for (Embiid). He earned it, he deserved it, but I was just focused on trying to win tonight," via ESPN.

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Jaylen Brown, who had 23 points, said they had to stifle the Sixers on defense.

"So we just ultimately wanted to be better on defense and make it all harder for everybody. And I think our pressure and intensity the last two games have done that."

They face the Sixers in Game 4 on Sunday, looking to take a commanding 3-1 lead back to Boston.

Embiid calls out teammates

Sports Brief earlier reported on Embiid calling out some of his Sixers teammates after a painful Game 3 defeat.

The Cameroonian was perhaps directing his comments to James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, who were poor in Game 3.

Harden has experienced a significant drop-off following a 45-point explosion in Game 1. In Game 3, he had 16 points on 3-of-14 shooting. Maxey had 13 points on 4-for-16 shooting.