Kristina Roberts
Jayson Tatum is often seen as the hero the Boston Celtics need, especially in big games. But lately, he hasn’t been able to live up to that role. A recent TV ad even showed him pretending to be Superman, stepping in to save the day when the real Superman takes a break. It’s a fun idea, but in real life, Tatum hasn’t been the savior the Celtics hoped for in the playoffs. Instead, his attempts to play the hero have backfired, leaving the team in a tough spot.
The Celtics are currently down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and a big reason for that is Tatum’s struggles in clutch moments. In Game 2, with the game on the line, he turned the ball over at the worst possible time. This isn’t the first time he’s had trouble delivering when the pressure is highest. Throughout his career, Tatum has tried to model his game after Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest clutch players in NBA history. Like Kobe, Tatum wants to be the one who takes the last shot, even if it means forcing difficult attempts. But unlike Kobe, those shots haven’t been falling when the Celtics need them most.
Tatum has always been open about how much he looks up to Kobe Bryant. In Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, he even wore a purple armband with Kobe’s number, 24, as a tribute. After the game, he said, “Game Seven. Everybody knows how much he means to me. My idol. My favorite player. Just to have something to show him in the biggest game of my career so far. And it worked out.” Back then, it did work out—Tatum played brilliantly, leading the Celtics to victory. But in this year’s playoffs, things haven’t gone the same way.
So far in this series, Tatum has been far from his best when the game is on the line. In clutch moments—defined as the last five minutes when the score is within five points—he has made only one of his seven shot attempts. The one shot he did make was a powerful dunk in transition. The rest have been missed jumpers, often from far away. In Game 1, he missed all five of his clutch shots, each one from an average of 23 feet away from the basket. These aren’t the numbers of a player who can take over when it matters most.
Part of the problem might be that Tatum is trying too hard to be the hero. Instead of trusting his teammates or looking for better shots, he often forces tough, contested jumpers. This “hero ball” style might work sometimes, but against strong defenses in the playoffs, it usually leads to mistakes. In Game 2, his late turnover cost the Celtics a chance to win, and his poor shooting in key moments has made it harder for the team to close out games.
There’s no doubt that Tatum is a great player. He’s an NBA champion, a six-time All-Star, and one of the best forwards in the league. But being a true superstar means performing when the lights are brightest, and right now, he’s not doing that. The Celtics need him to step up in Game 3 if they want to get back in this series. Instead of trying to do everything himself, he might need to play smarter—take better shots, move the ball, and trust his teammates.
The Celtics have blown big leads in both games so far, and Tatum’s struggles in the fourth quarter have been a major reason why. If they want to turn things around, they’ll need him to be more efficient and less reckless in clutch situations. The Superman act might make for a great commercial, but in real basketball, the best players know when to be aggressive and when to make the right play. Right now, Tatum needs to find that balance.
The good news is that Tatum has shown he can be a clutch player before. His performance in the 2022 playoffs proved that. But this year, whether it’s because of pressure, fatigue, or just a slump, he hasn’t been the same player in the biggest moments. The Celtics are counting on him to change that in Game 3. If he can’t, their season could be in serious trouble.
At the end of the day, basketball is a team sport, and even the best players need help. Tatum doesn’t have to be Superman for the Celtics to win. But he does need to play smarter, make better decisions, and rise to the occasion when his team needs him most. If he can do that, the Celtics still have a chance. If not, their playoff run could end much sooner than they hoped.
For now, all eyes will be on Tatum in Game 3. Can he bounce back and lead the Celtics to a much-needed win? Or will his struggles in the clutch continue? The answer could determine whether Boston’s season stays alive or comes to an early end. One thing is certain—the Celtics need their star to deliver, and time is running out.
