"2 down 2 to go" - Metro Boomin cheers on fellow St. Louis native Jayson Tatum courtside at NBA Finals Game 2
Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics survived a tough showdown against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday to win 105-98. After trailing for most of the first half, the C's eventually turned Game 2 at TD Garden around behind contributions from across the roster. The victory was also Boston’s ninth straight in the playoffs and handed Dallas its first back-to-back losses past the regular season.
Celtics Nation was represented well for the encounter. Shaquille O’Neal, Paul Pierce and Leland Wayne, also known as “Metro Boomin” were seen courtside to watch the action. The music producer, a native of St. Louis like Tatum, later celebrated the Celtics’ win on X/Twitter:
“2 down 2 to go @celtics”
Jayson Tatum had another rough shooting night but had 12 assists, nine rebounds and solid play on the defensive end. The win gave Boston a 2-0 series lead before playing the next two games in Dallas. Another victory on Wednesday will put the Celtics on the brink of their first NBA championship since 2008.
Metro Boomin, an avid fan of Tatum, once asserted that the All-NBA forward would eventually become the face of the NBA. It wasn’t surprising that he was at TD Garden to root for his fellow St. Louisian.
The producer also thanked ESPN in his post. He collaborated with the network to hype up the 2024 NBA Finals for fans. Metro’s “Runnin Outta Time,” featuring Future, is a staple during the championship showdown clash.
Metro Boomin can’t look too far ahead for Jayson Tatum and Celtics
Metro Boomin was also spotted at TD Garden during the 2022 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. Behind Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the C's won 116-100 to grab a 2-1 series lead. They were two wins away from the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but were shut out the rest of the way.
Metro will be hoping Tatum and Co. will not be following that route, particularly as the battle shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4. If the Mavericks manage to tie the series 2-2, momentum will be squarely on the Mavs’ side if that happens.
Getting two more wins seems simple enough, but Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Co. will not just hand the title to Boston. To win the championship, the music producer knows his fellow St. Louis native will have to deliver on the big stage. The songwriter might be seen in Dallas to continue hyping up the NBA Finals and to cheer for his good friend.
Game 3 takes place at American Airlines Center on Wednesday.