The Boston Celtics have been dominating the NBA this season with an impressive 48-13 record, 5½ games ahead of the closest team. However, their performance in tight games has raised concerns about their ability to deliver under pressure, especially with the playoffs approaching.

Despite their overall success, the Celtics have struggled in close games, holding an 11-9 record in games within 3 points in the final two minutes. This .550 winning percentage ranks 13th in the league in such scenarios, indicating room for improvement.

Forward Jaylen Brown acknowledged the need for enhancement in these situations, expressing confidence in the team’s potential to rise to the challenge. Brown emphasized the importance of honing their performance in tight games as they prepare for the playoffs, relying on the team’s talent and coaching staff to overcome these challenges.

Notably, All-Star guard Jayson Tatum has been entrusted with taking crucial shots in the closing moments of games. However, Tatum’s performance in these high-pressure situations has been less than stellar, as reflected in his 15 for 46 (32.6 percent) shooting when games are within 5 points in the final five minutes. This places Tatum at the bottom among the 25 players with a similar number of clutch attempts, highlighting the need for improvement in his late-game execution.

The Celtics’ recent defeat against the Cavaliers served as another instance where Tatum’s performance in clutch moments fell short, underscoring the team’s pressing need to address their effectiveness in tight game scenarios.