Jayson Tatum didn’t mince words in his response to the Boston Celtics’ exit from the In-Season Tournament (IST) quarterfinals, as reported by NBC Sports Boston.

The IST, designed to add significance to regular-season matchups, delivered an unexpected blow to the Celtics as they succumbed to a 122-112 defeat against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night. This loss means Boston won’t be making the trip to Las Vegas for the IST semifinals on Thursday or a potential championship game on Saturday. Instead, they will remain in Boston and face the loser of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks on Friday.

While the disappointment was palpable, there is a silver lining for the Celtics. Their travel plans have taken a turn for the easier, avoiding a cross-country flight to Vegas. Boston will enjoy an extended homestand, spanning almost two weeks, with a five-game series from Friday to the following Sunday, December 17.

Despite missing out on the inaugural NBA Cup and $500,000 bonuses for each player, the Celtics maintain their standing at the top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-5. The team remains focused on the ultimate goal of securing an NBA championship. Jaylen Brown, echoing Tatum’s sentiments, expressed his disappointment about missing Vegas but injected humor into the situation, suggesting the team might have to settle for Encore in Boston.

Boston’s loss in the IST quarterfinals highlighted their missed opportunity to showcase their talents on the national stage, committing 18 turnovers against a determined Pacers team vying for a spot in Vegas. The challenge now lies in the Celtics channeling their frustration into inspired play, particularly in the upcoming back-to-back games against the Orlando Magic next weekend. If Tatum and his teammates can turn their setback into motivation, it could prove to be a valuable win for Boston in the long run.