When the Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their NBA playoff series earlier this year, it set a few things into motion. Firstly, it forced a Game 6 between the two teams, with the Celtics leading the series 3-2. However, as per NBA scheduling rules, that game would be played at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. This was a problem because the Hawks hadn’t booked the arena for that Thursday night game. As it had been left vacant in the booking schedule, Janet Jackson was scheduled to perform there instead.
As the Hawks are the priority user of State Farm Arena, Jackson was forced to push her concert back a day. Fans were not best pleased about the change, especially as Taylor Swift was scheduled to perform at the neighboring Mercedes-Benz Arena on Friday night as well. Not only would plans have to be rescheduled to attend, but the area around the arena would also be additionally crowded. What’s worse is that the Hawks didn’t even win the game which necessitated the concert postponement.
Celtics Star Shouts Out Jackson
Tatum really apologized to Janet Jackson for having to postpone her show in Atlanta for Game 6
pic.twitter.com/1F1nvRUfMO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2023
With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Hawks were up three on the Celtics. It had been an incredibly tight, high-scoring game between the two sides as Atlanta looked to force a Game 7. However, the Celtics outscored their opponents 18-7 over the final five minutes to clinch a series win and set up a rivalry series with the Sixers. Jayson Tatum had 30 points and 14 rebounds for the Celtics in the win, playing a vital role in the victory as he has done all series.
However, the upcoming battle with the Sixers wasn’t what was on his mind during his post-game, on-court interview. “It’s gonna be fun, it’s gonna be exciting. I wanna enjoy this moment right now,” Tatum said of the impending Sixers series. “I wanna send an apology to the legend Janet Jackson. We were supposed to close out in Boston but she had to postpone her show. I hope she see this and know that I apologize for that. But we got it done today.” It was a gracious and heart-warming moment from the Celtics star, who was sure to acknowledge Jackson’s iconic status.
[via]