Jayson Tatum looks back on the Celtics loss in the 2022 NBA Finals,

BOSTON — When Jayson Tatum looks back on the Celtics loss in the 2022 NBA Finals, he doesn’t just dwell on where he and Boston came up short.

The Celtics lost to a Golden State Warriors team that won it’s fourth title in eight years. Tatum studied what the Warriors did and how they approached to the series to look for things to emulate.

“Biggest lesson? I give a lot of credit to that team, the Warriors. I think we understood what it took to get there. They understood what it took to get over the hump,” he said. “That was really a special team that didn’t make many mistakes, obviously well-coached. They’ve just been there before. In some of those tough moments, when I go back and look, you can tell that they had been there before.”

Jaylen Brown said he studied that series too.

“I’ve watched it a few times now, maybe four or five times, as well as last year’s conference finals. I think you can always learn from anything really,” he said. “But just being able to watch those moments and learn from them, how to manage your emotions, like, what you would have did differently potentially. I don’t think that’s bad to look at and acknowledge and be aware of.”

Al Horford had to wait 15 seasons to play in his first NBA Finals, but just two for his second. He thought the Celtics would better understand the pacing of the entire experience.

“I feel like the first time we went through it, I feel like it was a bit overwhelming, just a lot going on,” he said. “This time around, I feel like we all understand it a little better. I’m very appreciative to be in this position.”

Tatum said he was ready to apply what he learned in Game 1.

“I hate that I had to go through it. I wish we would have won. But I’m a firm believer in everything happens for a reason,” he said. “There’s a lesson to be learned in every situation. I do. I do feel a lot different this time, this go-around, two years later. I’m excited for the opportunity for us to get the job done.

“It was a lesson to be learned. I told myself that if I ever got the opportunity again to make it to the Finals, never take it for granted,” he added. “Obviously, we’re here now. Thankful to be here. I’m excited to get ready to play and have fun.”