The Florida Panthers have some serious NBA star power supporting them ahead of their potential Stanley Cup Final series-clinching Game 5 against the Edmonton Oilers: Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
Fresh off of his 31-point, 11-assist and 8-rebound performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the new NBA champion sent a message to Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers.
"Tkachuk, go get it done tomorrow," Tatum said. "One kid from St. Louis wins a championship today. Let's make it two tomorrow."
🗣️ Jayson Tatum's message for Matthew Tkachuk! 🏀🏒 pic.twitter.com/MWYqdkibsc
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
Tatum and Tkachuk attended Chaminade College Preparatory School together in St. Louis, Missouri.
After their time as classmates, Tatum spent one season with the Duke Blue Devils before being selected third overall by Boston in the 2017 NBA draft
Tkachuk left Chaminade after ninth grade to play for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He played one season of major junior hockey with the London Knights in 2015-16. Later on that year, the Calgary Flames drafted him sixth overall.
On Monday, Tatum helped bring Boston its 18th championship, the most in the NBA. With a win Tuesday, Tkachuk and the Panthers would secure the franchise's first Stanley Cup title.