BOSTON – Jayson Tatum, a St. Louis native, is heading to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.
Tatum, a perennial MVP candidate, is still striving for his first NBA title after seven seasons in the league. His journey continues as he and the Boston Celtics take on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday evening.
Jayson Tatum, known for his power forward skills, is regarded as one of the greatest NBA players from St. Louis. At 26 years old, Tatum has become the face of the Celtics franchise, constantly improving his game each season.
This season, Tatum earned his fifth consecutive All-Star selection with an average of nearly 27 points per game (26.9), the second-best of his career. He also averaged eight rebounds per game for the third consecutive regular season and set a new high in assists per game (4.9) this past season.
Tatum has maintained similar stats in this year’s NBA playoffs, especially shining in Boston’s Eastern Conference Finals sweep over the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in the series, nearing personal bests for a single playoff round.
Reflecting on his motivation, Tatum stated in a media session ahead of the NBA Finals, “Part of my motivation is, I just love to win. And understanding the moment of how hard it is to get to the NBA Finals.”
Tatum emphasized the lessons learned from previous playoff experiences, including the Celtics’ runs in 2022 and last season, where they fell short of reaching the Finals.
Entering the NBA Finals with a renewed mindset, Tatum expressed excitement for the opportunity to secure a championship this time around.
Tatum has had success since his high school days in the St. Louis area, leading Chaminade College Preparatory School to state championships before his collegiate career at Duke University.
Representing his hometown roots, Tatum has maintained connections with St. Louis through endorsements and community involvement, inspiring young basketball enthusiasts in the area.
With the NBA Finals ahead of him, Tatum aims to stay focused and present in the moment, setting aside thoughts of his legacy and focusing on winning the championship.
Tip-off for Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, with the Celtics hosting the first two games against the Dallas Mavericks.
