The Boston Celtics returned to winning ways on Saturday night, as they beat the Phoenix Suns 117-107. Jayson Tatum had a team-high 29 points to go with 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal on the night but admitted postgame that he stunk it up.
“I finally stopped turning the ball over,” Tatum said. “I’m thankful I got some great teammates ’cause I stunk it up tonight.”
Tatum shot just 39% from the field, as he went 11-28. He also had two turnovers in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics came away with the win to improve to 49-14 on the season.
While it wasn’t a great outing, I think Tatum was being a bit too harsh on himself there. I wouldn’t say the 26-year-old stunk it up, but it speaks to the standard that he holds himself to.
He was right when he said he has some great teammates, though. The Celtics had six players in total scoring in double digits, and this was with Kristaps Porzingis being out. Jaylen Brown had 27 points on the night, as the Celtics won despite Kevin Durant’s heroics for the Suns.
Durant had a season-high 45 points to go with 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal, but with Devin Booker out, he just didn’t have enough help. Booker has missed the last four games but appears to be close to a return, and we might see him on the court when these two teams play each other again on March 14.
Does Jayson Tatum Still Have A Shot At Winning MVP?
With the Celtics winning at such a terrific rate this season, the likes of Stephen A. Smith had Tatum as their MVP front-runner at one point. While I never had him leading the race at any point, I certainly felt he deserved some consideration.
Tatum, however, wrecked his chances of winning the award I think against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Instead of making a statement, he delivered a stinker, finishing with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals, as the Celtics lost 115-109.
Reviving his chances would require Tatum to play at a very high level the rest of the way, and this wasn’t a great start. Even if he played well, you would think Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo would have to struggle a fair bit for Tatum to pass them and that isn’t going to happen.
Jayson Tatum Wants To Win A Championship More Than Anything Else
While the outside world has been debating Tatum’s case for MVP, the man himself isn’t too concerned about it. Tatum states he prioritizes winning a championship over MVP.
“I don’t really look for that praise, I guess, anymore. I’ve accomplished a lot in my career and I’m truly at the point where I want to get over that hump, I want to get back to the Finals, I want to help us win a championship.”
“What I’m doing, I might not win MVP, but I’m just trying to help us continue to be the best team in the league and do my part. If people recognize that, they see it, then I appreciate it. If they don’t, that’s ok.”
You do like that attitude. The Celtics certainly have all the talent a team needs to win it all this year, but the onus will be on Tatum to get them over the line.
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