The last time Jayson Tatum played a meaningful game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the three-time All-NBA selection showed why he is among the top talents in the league.
It was Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with the Celtics facing elimination, trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Tatum was having one of the worst shooting nights of his career, totaling just three points on 1-of-13 (7%) shooting through the first three quarters.
However, with his team trailing by two entering the fourth quarter of an elimination game, the Celtics needed Tatum to step up, and he answered the call.
The 25-year-old finished the fourth quarter with 16 points on 4-of-5 (80%) shooting from three, knocking down three clutch threes in a row, one of which was the dagger that put Boston ahead by eight with under two minutes to go. After the game, Tatum (humbly) declared himself one of the best basketball players in the world.
That’s what great players do. They seize those “gotta have it” moments and come through when the moment matters most. Throughout his 6-year career with the Celtics, Tatum has shown he is capable of stepping up in those big moments.
According to Stathead – Tatum has knocked down 206 clutch shots in his career (including the postseason). The NBA defines clutch time as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points.
Masked a bit by the near 14-point comeback in the final two minutes was Tatum’s absence in the fourth quarter.
For whatever reason, the Celtics got away from Tatum in the final frame of Wednesday night’s 106-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Tatum, who entered the night having posted 30 or more points in four consecutive games, attempted just two shots in the fourth quarter (he was a perfect 2-of-2). Tatum's two shots were the fewest by any Celtic starter in the fourth quarter.
On the night, Tatum finished with 16 points on 6-of-14 (42.9%) shooting. Tatum’s 14-shot attempts were the third-most on the team.
Sure, the 6-foot-8 forward made his presence felt in other areas of the game, snagging a game-high 15 boards and dishing out six assists, which was also a game-high (and a new season-high), but Tatum is too dangerous of a scorer to attempt just 14 shots, especially just two down the stretch.
With the talent the Celtics have, there are a lot of mouths to feed. However, the Celtics have to find a way to get Tatum involved in games like Wednesday night, particularly late in games.
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