FILE — Jaylen Brown #7 talks with Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2021 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP
After the Celtics blew a 19-point, second-half lead and lost 128-114 to the visiting Chicago Bulls on Monday, Boston point guard Marcus Smart criticized his two star teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for selfish play.
“Every team knows we’re trying to go to Jayson and Jaylen,” Smart said postgame. “Every team is programmed and studied to stop Jayson and Jaylen. I think everybody’s scouting report is to make those guys pass the ball. They don’t want to pass the ball.”
Brown and Tatum declined interview requests after the game, according to multiple media reports. Both of them had three assists in the game while Smart had none.
Brown led Boston with 28 points on the night, hitting 10 of 18 shots from the floor. Tatum contributed 20 points on 8-of-22 shooting. Smart made 5 of 11 shots and scored 16 points.
"Before you see a rainbow it has to rain, we're going through the rain right now"- Marcus Smart on the Celtics loss to the bulls tonight ☘️🏀 pic.twitter.com/Ote7UqsWQj
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 2, 2021
In the fourth quarter, Tatum shot 1-for-8 and scored two points, Smart was 1-for-2 for two points and Brown was 0-for-2 for no points as Chicago outscored Boston 39-11 to rally for the win.
“They’re still learning,” Smart said of his teammates. “We’re proud of the progress they’re making, but they’re going to have to make another step and find ways to not only create for themselves but create for others on this team to open up the court for them later down in the game. …
“It’s something we’ve been asking them to do and they’re learning. We just gotta continue to help those guys do that to help our team.”
First-year Celtics coach Ime Udoka added of the loss, “We started celebrating early.”
The Celtics, who took their third loss in a row, are off to a 2-5 start.