On Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics closed out their series with the Orlando Magic in a dominant 120-89 win. After missing Game 2 with a wrist injury, Jayson Tatum finished the series with an incredible three-game stretch. Tatum scored 35-plus points in three consecutive games. He averaged 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists for the series. Let’s dive into Tatum’s impressive play.
Jayson Tatum’s last three games:
36 PTS – 9 REB – 4 AST
37 PTS – 14 REB – 3 AST
35 PTS – 8 REB – 10 AST pic.twitter.com/TAu6ZGn8pc— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 30, 2025
Jayson Tatum Silences Concerns About Injury and False Playoff Narratives
Tatum missed his first career playoff game after suffering a bruised wrist. However, Tatum put together one of the best three-game stretches of his career after returning in Game 3. These recent games perfectly displayed Tatum’s elite scoring and all-around impact. Tatum’s scoring was especially vital with Jrue Holiday sidelined with a hamstring injury and Kristaps Porziņģis struggling. He provided elite scoring with incredible efficiency, posting a 60.7 true shooting percentage and netting 44 percent of threes after returning from injury. Tatum further upped his level of play in the fourth quarter, averaging 9.5 points and making countless clutch plays. His contributions as a playmaker, defender, and rebounder were also key to Boston’s success. Notably, Tatum led the Celtics in all three major statistical categories.
Ultimately, Tatum did everything for the Celtics and helped them win a series that proved more challenging than many expected. Tatum’s absurd +21.6 net on-off difference highlights his importance to the Celtics. Undoubtedly, Tatum’s play is even more impressive when accounting for his wrist injury, especially considering his shooting efficiency. Tatum’s injury also resulted in a fun new wrist celebration, which he credits to rookie Baylor Scheierman for creating.
Jayson Tatum hit Orlando with the wrist celebration 😆 pic.twitter.com/TfTjSKcZCT
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) April 26, 2025
Tatum is an Elite Playoff Performer
After not having the most efficient playoff run last season, an unfortunate and untrue narrative formed that Tatum isn’t an elite playoff performer. While most of this discourse stems from social media and nonsensical sports debate shows, nobody can question Tatum’s greatness now. Even before this playoff series, the narrative was ridiculous. Tatum’s career playoff averages of 24.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists are all above his regular-season averages. His 24.2 playoff points per game lead the Celtics franchise, which is a remarkable accomplishment considering Boston’s illustrious history. Additionally, Tatum broke Kobe Bryant‘s record for most playoff points before turning 26 last year.
Throughout his career, Tatum has delivered big-time playoff performances, including 51 points in a Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023, a 46-point outing against in a Game 6 win against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022, and a finals-clinching 31-point, 11-assist, eight-rebound game last season. Ultimately, Tatum has always been an elite playoff performer, and even his doubters can’t deny it anymore.
The Last Word
As the Celtics continue pursuing back-to-back championships, having Tatum is a massive advantage. Tatum’s ability to take over games with his elite shot creation, combined with his impressive all-around skill set, makes him a truly special superstar. Unless the Celtics play the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals, Boston will have the best player in any series. It could even be argued that Tatum is better than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but that’s personal preference. Tatum will be the clear best player in any series with Eastern Conference opponents. The Celtics’ perfectly built roster and Tatum’s greatness are why they are so dominant.
Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
