Jayson Tatum Wins Teammate Accolades Before Celtics-Sixers Game 7

Jayson Tatum is 5-2 in his career in Game 7s and has delivered iconic performances under pressure.

What's at Stake for Jayson Tatum?

The Boston Celtics need a win in Game 7 to prevail in the NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics dropped Games 5 and 6, but Jayson Tatum's past performances give them hope.

Jayson Tatum's Teammate of the Year Accolades

The NBA announced Jayson Tatum received 27 first-place votes for the 2025-26 NBA Teammate of the Year award. He finished seventh overall, with the fifth-most first-place votes, behind DeAndre Jordan, Jeff Green, Garrett Temple, and Jalen Brunson. Jayson Tatum's positive influence on the Celtics was evident even when he was sidelined with an Achilles tear.

Jayson Tatum's Leadership During Injury

Jayson Tatum served as an assistant coach, motivator, and locker room leader, attending team meetings and film sessions. He traveled to away games, duties he was not obligated to fulfill, and his active presence was appreciated by teammates. Jaylen Brown highlighted Jayson Tatum's dedication, saying he was like an extra coach. Derrick White joked that a sidelined Jayson Tatum had become a jokester in the locker room.

What Comes Next for Jayson Tatum and the Celtics?

The Celtics will need another vintage Jayson Tatum Game 7 performance to set up a second-round series against the New York Knicks. Joe Mazzulla's team suffered a 103-96 loss to the Sixers in Game 6, but they enter Game 7 as massive -8.5-point favorites. Jayson Tatum's teammates appreciate his leadership and dedication, which helped the Celtics finish with a 56-26 record. The Celtics were widely predicted to endure a gap year and possibly miss the playoffs, but Jayson Tatum's influence helped them succeed.