Jayson Tatum of the Celtics talks about his clutch problems
The 57-16 record of Jayson Tatum and the Celtics indicates that they haven’t played in many close games this season. Nevertheless, Tatum has not performed well as a clutch scorer when they have rarely faced adversity.
This season, when the Celtics have had a chance to tie or win a game in the final five seconds, the star forward is 0 for 6 on buzzer-beater efforts.
Tatum is 1-for-9 in the last 30 seconds of one-possession games, placing him in second place among players who have made at least seven attempts.
As per the NBA’s definition of the clutch period, which lasts five minutes, Tatum is 22 for 61 from the field and 6 for 18 from beyond the arc.
Tatum missed a shot that would have sealed the game for the Hawks at the end of regulation on Thursday, putting his late-game problems on full display. Rather, it was a historic night for Dejounte Murray, as the Celtics lost in overtime.
Tatum dismissed worries about his clutch play after the defeat, saying he was confident that good fortune would find him eventually.
Tatum told reporters via NBC Sports Boston, “I knew I missed a couple this year, so I was like, ‘Damn, I gotta be due for one.” “Make or miss league—that’s part of it, even though I’ve hit a lot of them in my career so far. I truly like being in those kinds of circumstances.”
Those who have followed the Celtics attentively over the past few seasons are aware of Tatum’s clutch issues. The Duke graduate has shot 36% from the field in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score was tied or within five points during his previous five seasons.
This playoffs, Tatum has the chance to silence a lot of his critics.
Leave a Reply