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Former UCF Knights center Tacko Fall scored four points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots in the most extended action of his NBA career Friday night for his Boston Celtics in their 116-107 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Aside from his points total, all were NBA career-highs. But he punctuated his night with several highlights on both sides of the floor.
In the first quarter, he rejected a dunk attempt by Russell Westbrook:
Tacko Fall protects the rim for the @celtics on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/xLfQvnXHpB
— NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2021
Another angle from above the rim:
This angle of Tacko Fall rejecting Westbrook pic.twitter.com/8s69UDl7Yp
— Celtics Junkies (@Celtics_Junkies) January 9, 2021
In the second quarter, he was on the receiving end of a lob from Jaylen Brown, and ran back on defense to get a block on an ensuing fast break:
Please watch this Tacko Fall sequence.
— SAVAGE BOSTON (@SavageBoston) January 9, 2021
Majestic. pic.twitter.com/F6ZZaeo1f2
Replay:
Tacko Fall controlling both ends of the floor pic.twitter.com/hYdDlNQUPA
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 9, 2021
Tacko was pressed into action after Tristan Thompson, Robert Williams and Grant Williams were all forced out for at least seven days due to the NBA’s COVID protocols. Tonight was the first of five games in seven days for Boston, including two against Orlando and one against Miami (all in Boston).
After the game, head coach Brad Stevens praised Tacko’s presence on the floor and in the locker room:
"All he does is smile. And he's a great teammate, as good as I've been around... I'm really happy for him."
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 9, 2021
Brad Stevens discusses Tacko Fall's performance tonight pic.twitter.com/tjS3Wdb9QE
Fall also spoke to the media afterwards:
Postgame reaction from Tacko Fall on his performance in 19 minutes off the #Celtics bench tonight.
— Nick Coit (@NCoitABC6) January 9, 2021
And a lot of praise for Tacko from the team. Payton Pritchard & Brad Stevens speak on his night. @ABC6 pic.twitter.com/PSwvyvOGQQ
Tacko played in seven games for the Celtics last season, but only tallied 33 total minutes. Tonight, in just his second game of the season, he was on the floor for 19.
The Celtics’ next game is Sunday at 7 p.m. against the Miami Heat on NBA TV.