The Boston Celtics avoided a collapse to win Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, 106-99. They are now within one win of a record-breaking 18th championship on Sunday, June 12, at the American Airlines Center.

Despite being on the verge of glory with a commanding 3-0 series lead, Celtics star Jayson Tatum's scoring in the series, which was underwhelming in the first two home games in Boston, has been the subject of discussion.

The five-time NBA All-Star sat down for an interview with NBA TV after Game 3, where Charles Barkley asked him about the topic.

"Early in your career, you get all the points and the stats and the individual awards, but then they say, 'you haven't won.' And now you're in a position to win a championship and now you're not scoring enough," the 26-year-old stated.

Tatum shot 6-of-16 for 16 points in Game 1 and 6-of-22 for 18 points in Game 2, making a combined 12-of-38 from the field (31.5 percent) during the series' first two games at the TD Garden.

Jayson Tatum puts up best scoring game in the 2024 NBA Finals

After failing to break the 20-point barrier in the first two games of the 2024 NBA Finals, Tatum came up big in Game 3.

The three-time All-NBA First Team member led the Celtics in scoring with 31 points on 11-of-26 shooting from the field.

The former Duke Blue Devil standout also contributed six rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 42 minutes of play.