Tatum takes skills challenge on half-court heave

5:02 pm | February 16, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:

9:37 PM ET

Tim BontempsESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum made sure All-Star Saturday Night got off to a dramatic start.

Tatum fell behind in each of his three rounds of the Taco Bell Skills Challenge — first to Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley, then to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and finally to Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young — before coming from behind to win each of them and start the night off with a victory.

“No, that was not the plan,” Tatum said with a smile.

It certainly wasn’t his plan to beat Young the way he did — by throwing in a heave from halfcourt when it appeared Young was all but certain to win.

Tatum said his hope was to at least knock Young’s shot away, but he did one better by banking in a shot to edge the Atlanta rookie and earn himself a trophy in the process.

“The previous two rounds the guy was ahead of me, and figured I’d let him get a shot attempt so I’d get closer to the 3-point line,” Tatum said. “But I didn’t want to give Trae a chance.

“I didn’t know I’d make it, but wanted to give myself a chance.”

Not only did he give himself a chance, but he earned himself a win — which came on the heels of a 30-point performance in a victory in Friday night’s Rising Stars Challenge as part of Team USA. And Tatum, whose nickname is Taco Jay, said he’s hoping winning a contest sponsored by Taco Bell might allow him to get one more win out of this weekend.

“I’m gonna call Taco Bell tomorrow,” he said with a smile. “I need a deal. I need a commercial. I love tacos.”