Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Tatum can make an MVP statement against the Warriors

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 3/3/24

Jayson Tatum's MVP candidacy has begun to heat up.

The 26-year-old is the Boston Celtics' best player, and they hold the best record in the NBA. As such, discussions surrounding his ability to win the coveted individual award have gained steam since the All-Star break.

In a recent episode of the "KG Certified" podcast, Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed how Tatum can prove he's an MVP-level player between now and the end of the season.

"We gotta start putting Tatum in these MVP talks," Pierce said. "He's the best player on the best team. He can make a loud statement with this game."

“The criteria [for MVP] is the best player on the best team. It’s [Jayson Tatum] and he can make a loud statement with this game [Warriors].” - Paul Pierce @Paulpierce34 and I are rockin’ with the C’s today vs. Golden State ☘️ look for @jaytatum0 to make a statement and further… pic.twitter.com/gfqRZVCgZq
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) March 3, 2024

Tatum's game has evolved this season. He's a more complete player. Rather than focusing on providing the Celtics with a scoring punch, he's operating as an elite-level point forward. He's averaging a career-high 4.8 assists per game to go with 27.1 points and 8.5 rebounds.

Given Boston's position in the standings and Tatum's status as a genuine star talent, he has a chance in the MVP race. A big night against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, on national TV, would be an ideal scenario for the St. Louis native.

Kristaps Porzingis will be absent from the Celtics rotation when they face the Warriors on Sunday. That should provide Tatum with some additional responsibilities on offense. When the Celtics lost to Golden State in the 2022 NBA Finals. Tatum drastically underperformed. Now is his chance to show the world he is capable of leading his team to victory over a team that beat him to a championship ring.

The NBA is about big moments. Tatum failed in his last audition against the Warriors. Now, he has the opportunity to set the record straight. If he can do that, he will certainly find himself close to the top of the MVP voting later this season.

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