Jayson Tatum shines with historic triple-double as Celtics star remains undervalued in MVP race

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics delivered a historic performance against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 43 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and providing 10 assists. This achievement makes him the first Celtic to record a 40-point triple-double, joining Larry Bird in this rare feat. Despite his impressive stats this season—averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists—Tatum remains undervalued in the MVP race. He ranks fourth in the ESPN MVP straw poll, trailing behind Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who dominate the voting. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla noted that Tatum's consistent excellence may lead to him being taken for granted. His ability to perform at a high level while maintaining team flow highlights his importance to the Celtics, yet he continues to receive less recognition than his contributions warrant.