In the overtime period, Jayson Tatum engaged in an intense battle for the ball with Onyeka Okungwu.

Both grabbed the rebound following a DeAndre Hunter three-point miss and had to be separated by their respective teammates and officials.

Jayson Tatum and the Hawks got into it 😳

The play resulted in a jump ball. pic.twitter.com/KFJlz64Ic8

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 19, 2025

Tatum wrestling for the game ball ignited cheers from the Boston Celtics crowd.

And even if they eventually sustained a 119-115 defeat that left them crushed in the midst of their zigzagging progress, Cedric Maxwell is simply impressed by what the Celtics superstar demonstrated during that sequence.

Cedric Maxwell impressed with Jayson Tatum

As one of the most iconic players in Boston basketball, Maxwell bleeds green and is fully aware of what it means to be like a Celtic.

And for him, what Tatum simply showed against the Atlanta Hawks is a solid representation to it.

Speaking to CLNS Boston, the Celtics icon applauded Tatum for his sheer effort and intensity to battle for possession and the ball, arguing it was something he has rarely seen.

“When have we seen that? When have we ever seen that?

“You might see that with official … But this first time I saw Jayson Tatum go up to another player and get into that tit for tat, and ‘I want the ball,’” Maxwell said.

“The ball belongs to the NBA, and it was a dead ball situation, but Tatum wanted that ball.

“People grabbed him. He pushing him away. It was much to do about nothing, but the attitude that Tatum had, at that particular time, I’ve talked about that over and over again.

“I love it.”

Tatum helps Celtics bounce back

Knowing the urgent situation of that event in overtime against the Hawks, Boston fans can’t ask for more from Tatum, a player who has been criticized for a lack of aggression.

Indeed, it was a great display of determination to make winning plays and live up to the expectations of being a defending champion.

Behind his 22-point performance, Tatum helped the Celtics to bounce back from their awful loss against the Hawks, dismantling the Golden State Warriors in a wire-to-wire 125-85 victory on Monday.