Jayson Tatum and his Celtics haven’t been in too many close games this year, as evidenced by their 57-16 record. However, on the rare occasions they’ve had their backs to the wall, Tatum has not come through as a reliable clutch scorer.
The star forward is 0-for-6 on buzzer-beater attempts in the final five seconds of a game this season when the Celtics have had a chance to tie or take the lead.
As for the final 30 seconds of one-possession games, Tatum is 1-for-9, ranking next to last among players with at least seven attempts.
Tatum’s late-game struggles were on display again Thursday when he missed a shot at the end of regulation that would have put away the Hawks. Instead, the Celtics lost in overtime thanks to Dejounte Murray’s historic night.
After the loss, Tatum brushed aside concerns about his performance in clutch scenarios, expressing optimism that lady luck would shine upon him sooner or later.
“I know I’ve missed a couple this year, so I was like, ‘Damn, I gotta be due for one,'” Tatum told reporters via NBC Sports Boston. “I’ve hit a bunch of them in my career so far, but it’s part of it — make or miss league. I really do enjoy being in those situations.
Fans who’ve closely followed the Celtics in recent years know that Tatum’s clutch woes aren’t new. Over his last five seasons, the Duke product has shot 36 percent from the field in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter/OT with the scoring margin within five points.
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.
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