Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are the defending NBA champions and still feel like they have plenty to prove in the 2025 NBA playoffs. After taking care of Dallas last June, the Celtics have flown under the radar for much of this season.

Tatum’s 35.4 GameScore is higher than all but two of Larry Bird's 164 playoff performances. The post Jayson Tatum looks like a man on a mission this postseason, and other thoughts on the Celtics before the next series appeared first on Boston.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has developed a killer instinct on the court, and his teammates know it as much as the fans and the media does. When the St. Louis native joined the NBA in 2017, he was known as a dangerous but nice player. He has grown stronger and more competitive in the ensuing years, and meaner more recently as well.