Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Climbs MVP Ladder
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum climbed to third place in the latest NBA MVP ladder released by NBA.com, trailing only Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama.
Powell wrote for NBA.com that it was a satisfying week for Tatum, made possible by beating the Philadelphia 76ers and former teammate Jaylen Brown to assume a top spot in the Eastern Conference. Powell said that Tatum scored 34 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out eight assists three games prior against the Charlotte Hornets. That performance marked a snippet of his season, his first full tour of duty after recovering from Achilles surgery.
Tatum is averaging 26.3 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per season. He is shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from 3-point range, though those numbers are expected to improve.
By finishing off an undefeated four-game swing away from home, the Celtics brought their record to 10-2 and seized the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Behind only Doncic and Wembanyama, Tatum also sits in third place on Basketball Reference’s MVP tracker, which evaluates contenders through a formula derived from historical voting outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Jayson Tatum rank in the initial MVP ladder?
When unveiling his earliest MVP ladder for the year, Shaun Powell of NBA.com placed the Boston Celtics standout at number five behind Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic.
What were Jayson Tatum’s stats against the Hornets?
Tatum scored 34 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded eight assists three games prior against the Charlotte Hornets.
What is the current record of the Boston Celtics?
The Boston Celtics hold a 10-2 record after completing a perfect four-game road trip to take over first place in the Eastern Conference.
More on Jayson Tatum
Related reading