Top-Five Tatum (finally) Shows Up for the Celtics

Jayson Tatum, struggling like we've never seen before, came alive when it mattered most. A fourth-quarter surge by Tatum propels Boston into a winner-moves-on Game 7 against Philly.

PHILADELPHIA — The best part about close-out games is that they expose, for better or worse, what players are truly made of.

Do they have the mental toughness, the aggression, “the dog” in them to win?

Or will they succumb to some struggles, shrink under the bright lights of the moment and fail to do what’s necessary to be victorious?

Jayson Tatum has been criticized throughout this series against Philadelphia for his offensive struggles, failing to come up with that one signature game, the one to remind us all that he is considered a top-five talent in the NBA this season.

But with the Celtics season on the line and Tatum struggling like we have not seen him struggle before, he found that elusive gear to shift into and in doing so, kept Boston’s season alive for at least one more game.