When the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship, Jaylen Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP. Brown had played some elite two-way basketball and was often the best defender on the floor. However, the decision came as somewhat of a shock, as Jayson Tatum had dominated the stat sheet throughout the postseason.
Tatum ended that postseason run with averages of 25 points, 6.3 assists and 9.7 rebounds, shooting 42.7% from the field. Unfortunately for Tatum, he struggled from deep, converting at only 28.3% over 19 games.
During a recent appearance on “The Morris Code Show,” hosted by Marcus and Markieff Morris, Tatum discussed missing out on the NBA Finals MVP award.
“I was just so excited in that moment that we won a championship,” Tatum said. “I can be 100% honest. There was no animosity. I wasn’t upset…I know I’m going to get a Finals MVP. So that just means I got to win another championship… Larry Bird ain’t winning Finals MVP every single time. Isaiah Thomas ain’t winning Finals MVP every single time. Like, it’s legendary…I know I’m going to get one. It’s just a matter of time.”
Tatum is currently sidelined after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. He will miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 NBA season. However, once he returns to the rotation, Boston will be among the Eastern Conference contenders. Even without him, they have won 7 of their last 10 outings.
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Nevertheless, hunting for his own Finals MVP is solid motivation. It will help as Tatum looks to reach the All-NBA level he was playing at before his injury. If he can get there and Brad Stevens can piece together another championship-level team, he will get his second shot at winning the prestigious award.
For now, though, Tatum will focus on his recovery. He can’t look too far ahead when he is still several months away from being back on the court. And, even then, it will take another couple of months for him to get back to an All-NBA level. Nevertheless, the Celtics will have a hungry superstar leading the way, which could help them get back to the NBA Finals sooner rather than later.
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