Jordan Athletes Show Unity As Jayson Tatum Pays Special Tribute To WNBA Star’s Father At Game 3: “Pops Was The One”

Jayson Tatum turned the dramatic Game 3 win into an emotional night for a WNBA star. The Boston Celtics forward produced a 36-10-8 stat line to produce a thrilling win against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That win became even more special with his special gesture towards Atlanta Dream’s Aerial Powers on the floor, as he paid tribute to her father.

Tatum sported the “Camo” Jordan Tatum 2 PE, a special edition of sneakers in collaboration with the WNBA star. The sneaker’s body is entirely dominated by a camouflage design, highlighting Powers’ father’s service in the military as a Sergeant. And JT took the opportunity to pay his honor for the Memorial Day Weekend. In response to this gesture, Powers took to her IG stories and shared a heartfelt message with pictures of JT, sporting the shoes.

Aerial Powers wrote, “Thank you @jaytatum0 for sporting these!! This pair means so much to me!! Pops was the one that put the ball in my hand.” This sneaker is a true tribute to her father, as the lace of the shoe holds a batch that reads, “For Dad.”

The Jordan brand has been in a constant attempt to reduce the disparity in the shoe business between male and female athletes. Recently, the brand even released an ad with Michael Jordan alongside nine WNBA athletes to push the brand’s stance on gender equality forward. Importantly, the brand even promised to transform these athletes into household names in the coming years.

Moreover, Jayson Tatum acknowledged the cause and made a collaboration with Aerial Powers with his JT sneaker line. And, he doubled it down by sporting on the crucial Game 3. This isn’t the first time when Tatum created an emotional tribute on the court. In a game played against the Lakers on Christmas Day, he donned the iconic gold-purple band with #24 on it to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant.

Jayson Tatum & his emotionally charged NBA Finals entry

The Celtics are just one win away from entering the NBA Finals for the second time in the last three seasons. It may seem like a statement to prove the Celts’ dominance in the league. But, the statement has a story of multiple heartbreaks in it. In 2022, Jayson Tatum & Co. took on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

All eyes were on Stephen Curry, as he shut down his critics by winning a ring without Kevin Durant. However, on the other hand, Tatum had an unconsolable heartbreak. Speaking of the loss, he said, “My mom gave me a hug, and I just broke down crying… I felt like I let everybody down,” in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

Following the heartbreaking loss, the team took on the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. After going 0-3 in the series, the Celtics came back up with 3-straight wins. However, they ended up losing Game 7, leaving them with yet another heartbreak.

Nevertheless, after consecutive misery, the Celtics once again stand in front of the NBA Finals door. This time, they seem to have a composed mindset, inching closer to the Finals. Jaylen Brown said, “We have been in this position before… We just value every win… No matter whom you’re playing. One game at a time, play like a team, win like a team, lose like a team… One we’re just one win away from getting back to the Finals.” 

Will the Celtics break their jinx and win the ring finally? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.