Jayson Tatum Makes NBA History with Third Consecutive Player of the Month Award
On Tuesday, the NBA announced that Jayson Tatum had been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for October and November. This marks a historic achievement for Tatum, as he becomes the first player in NBA history to win the award for the season’s first month(s) in three consecutive years. Tatum claimed the honor in both 2022 and 2023, and now in 2024, further solidifying his dominance early in the season.
In each of these three instances, Tatum has averaged at least 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, showcasing his consistent all-around performance to open the season. This latest win marks the fifth time Tatum has earned Player of the Month honors, surpassing Paul Pierce (four) and moving into second place on the Boston Celtics’ all-time list. Only Larry Bird, with seven monthly awards, stands ahead of Tatum, and the 26-year-old forward is on track to break Bird’s record.
Notably, three of Tatum’s five Player of the Month awards have come in the last two seasons, underscoring his incredible consistency. Over that period, no other player in the league has won more than two Player of the Month honors, and no other player in the Eastern Conference has won more than one.
Tatum’s success in the early part of the 2024-2025 season has been undeniable. Through November, he ranked third in the Eastern Conference in scoring, averaging 28.7 points per game. He trailed only Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.9 PPG) and LaMelo Ball (31.1 PPG), but Tatum’s scoring came while leading the Boston Celtics to a dominant 16-3 record. In comparison, Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks were 9-8, and Ball’s Charlotte Hornets were struggling at 6-12.
Beyond his scoring, Tatum’s contributions have been comprehensive. He averaged 8.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, becoming the only Eastern Conference player to record at least 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals during this stretch. His shooting efficiency has been impressive, hitting 46.1 percent of his field goals, 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, Tatum led the East with a plus/minus of +199, reflecting his all-around impact on the court.
Tatum opened the season in spectacular fashion, leading the Celtics to a 132-109 win over the New York Knicks with 37 points and 10 assists. He reached the 37-point mark in three of his first five games, which remains his season high. In mid-November, Tatum hit a game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer in overtime against the Toronto Raptors, finishing with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists—just one assist shy of a triple-double. He followed that performance with another near-triple-double, recording 36 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets.
Tatum’s late-November performance against the Chicago Bulls, where he posted 35 points, a season-high 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, highlighted his ability to dominate in multiple facets of the game.
With such consistent performances, Tatum has positioned himself as a top contender in the early MVP race, with his latest Player of the Month recognition further solidifying his standing. As the Celtics continue to thrive with Tatum leading the charge, it’s clear that he is not just the MVP of the East, but potentially one of the favorites to take home the league’s highest individual honor this season.