Jayson Tatum

It takes a special blend of creativity and crunchtime coolness to make a high-pressure, game-winning bucket appear like that of a television commercial, but on January 31, 2025, Jayson Tatum confirmed that he was among those capable. Positioned in the type of late-game scenario that franchise faces often speak fondly of — heroic if it hits, overtime if it misses — Tatum works first niftiness, offsetting a could-be double team with a spin towards the floor’s opposite side. Oozing with “aura,” as this generation says, Tatum seals the night's envolope with a “sweet spot” pull-up over two defenders’ reaches before pairing his cold-blooded bucket with an as-if-effortless glance into the NBA’s official sidecourt camera. For many, Tatum’s walk-off winner was certainly an eyebrow-raiser, but not necessarily surprising, given that over the last five seasons, the Boston Celtics’ superstar tied for No. 1 in go-ahead field goals over the final five seconds. Absorbing the New Orleans Pelicans’ best for a second time that month, Tatum helped Boston conquer the type of matchup champions win, tallying 27 points (on 10-of-21 shooting), six rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers.