Celtics

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 33 points

Tatum has earned Player of the Week honors twice in his career.

Jayson Tatum averaged 35 points per game last week. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

January 11, 2021

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, per a release from the team.

Tatum averaged 33 points per game in three victories over the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards, shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 52 percent from deep. He dropped 40 points against the Raptors — a season-high and the third 40-point game of his career.

After a slow start to the season, Tatum’s big week raised his averages to a team-high 26.9 points on 47.4 percent shooting, including 43.8 percent from three and 88.9 from the free-throw line. Tatum has also posted 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest.

The 22-year-old has now been named Player of the Week twice in his career, and he earned Player of the Month honors for February last season.

The Celtics’ star won’t have an opportunity to defend his status. Tatum reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 last week, triggering a two-week quarantine. Tatum’s positive test also sparked several absences for the Celtics due to contact tracing — the Celtics were forced to postpone games against Miami on Sunday and Chicago on Tuesday, since they didn’t have enough players available to form a roster.