It goes without saying that Jayson Tatum is one of the best rookies in the NBA today. The Boston Celtics forward is currently averaging 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, while shooting 45 percent from behind the arc.
Against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night, the Celtics needed Tatum's developed scoring late in the fourth quarter, and he responded in a big way.
The rook is CLUTCH. Two huge plays by Tatum down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/5jSomTJiGB
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 7, 2018
Off a set play, Tatum rushed by Spencer Dinwiddie and finished a contested dunk to give the Celtics the 84-83 lead. On a stop, Kyrie Irving rushed into the paint to draw the defense, and kicked it out to a wide-open Tatum who buried a triple in the corner to give the Celtics a four point lead.




Jayson Tatum finished the game with 14 points and 6 rebounds. According to Max Lederman of NBCS Boston, Tatum also accomplished an amazing feat in the Saturday night win.
Jayson Tatum has 5 blocks and 3 steals. The last teenage rookie to accomplish that was … Kevin Garnett #CelticsTalk pic.twitter.com/FwPzw4MTML
— Max Lederman (@Max_Lederman) January 7, 2018
Jayson Tatum is already established as one of the best rookies in the NBA today, alongside of Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell, and Ben Simmons. Tatum is a close favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, but he may just be the most polished rookie. In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Celtics traded away their first pick for the Sixers' third pick, causing quite a stir in the NBA. They went on to select Jayson Tatum, who has been more than a reliable help to Irving.
The Celtics currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference, and are primed to make a deep postseason run if the team remains healthy. If Tatum can keep scoring at a high level for the Celtics, he may just become a front runner for the Rookie of the Year award, after all.