Video: Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Has Rap Battle with Jimmy Fallon over Children’s Books

Adam WellsSeptember 12, 2024

Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images

Before putting the finishing touches on a very eventful summer and starting to get ready for the 2024-25 NBA season, Jayson Tatum stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to show off his musical chops.

The Boston Celtics star challenged Jimmy Fallon to a good-natured rap battle about their children’s books.

The Tonight Show @FallonTonight.@jaytatum0 challenges Jimmy to a rap battle about their children’s books, Baby Dunks-a-Lot and 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Halloween 🎤 #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/3yHWPOllnw

Baby-Dunks-a-Lot is a picture book inspired by Tatum’s life and career. Fallon authored 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Halloween, the latest installment in his series that began with a Christmas book that was published in 2020.

This doesn’t exactly rise to the levels of a Kendrick-Drake battle. At least this one ends with both of the participants complimenting each other, culminating with Tatum bragging about his two big wins on the basketball court during the summer.

Despite all of the discussion around Tatum’s role and usage on Team USA, he certainly had one of the best three-month stretches for any basketball player in history. The five-time All-Star captured his first NBA championship, signed the richest contract in league history and won an Olympic gold medal.

Tatum does have a long way to go as a rapper, but he can work on that in his spare time during the upcoming NBA season.

The Celtics are scheduled to open training camp on Sept. 25. They will open the preseason with two games against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 4 and 6.

Boston will begin defense of its NBA championship on Oct. 22 against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.