Jayson Tatum’s playoff run with the defending champion Boston Celtics nearly took a frightening turn in Game 1, and no one was more fired up about it than his mom, Brandy Cole.
With the Celtics cruising to a 103–86 win over the Orlando Magic at TD Garden, everything seemed to be going according to script. But early in the fourth quarter, that calm was disrupted when Tatum went up strong for a dunk and was met mid-air by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr.
The high-speed collision sent Tatum tumbling hard to the floor, where he landed awkwardly on his right wrist. The TD Garden crowd fell silent. Celtics fans held their breath. And in the tunnel, Tatum’s mom was preparing for war.
“You want me to go to the Orlando locker room?”
"You want me to go to the Orlando locker room?" 💀
Jayson Tatum's mom was not happy with the hard foul he took 😅
(via @ESPN) pic.twitter.com/pRDDlNWoL7
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) April 20, 2025
Her motherly instincts kicked in instantly, protectiveness dialed up, no filter, no hesitation. It was a viral moment the internet quickly embraced, capturing the raw, human side of basketball that transcends box scores and highlight reels.
Tatum ultimately waved her off with a smile and a head shake, and thankfully, medical scans revealed no structural damage. Caldwell-Pope’s foul was reviewed and upgraded to a Flagrant 1, which many agreed was fair given the excessive contact.
There was no retaliatory response from the Celtics on the floor, but it’s clear Mama Tatum was ready to handle things herself if needed.
Despite the scare, Tatum finished the game with a solid stat line: 17 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists, although he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 8-of-22 from the field and 1-of-8 from deep.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Tatum’s all-around impact postgame, especially his rebounding and defensive effort in the second half.
Still, with Jaylen Brown playing through a lingering knee issue and scoring just 16 points in Game 1, the Celtics will need Tatum to ramp up his offensive production as the series progresses. Boston’s title defense hinges on Tatum being more than just a floor general; he’ll need to be their closer, too.
For now, though, Celtics fans can breathe easy knowing Tatum is healthy and knowing that if things get out of hand again, Brandy Cole is ready to step in. Her protective postgame moment became an instant classic, reminding everyone that behind every superstar, there’s often a parent with a passion just as fierce.
Game 2 tips off Wednesday at TD Garden, and don’t be surprised if the Magic think twice before taking another swipe at Boston’s franchise player, especially with Mama Tatum watching.
