2023-2024 Boston Celtics Team Awards

Eric Jay Santos | Jul 28, 2024

Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) lifts the trophy after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023-2024 NBA season has concluded with the Boston Celtics crowned as NBA champions, boasting a league-best 80-21 record between the regular season and playoffs. Here are the Celtics’ top performers:

Most Valuable Player: Jayson Tatum 

Jayson Tatum is the Boston Celtics’ most valuable player. Averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game during the regular season, Tatum finished sixth in voting for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. 

Tatum continued his dominance throughout the playoffs, leading the Celtics in points, rebounds, and assists. Despite not being named the NBA Finals MVP, his consistency from October to June was crucial to Boston’s success. 

Earlier this month, Tatum was announced as the cover star of NBA 2K24. He is a member of the United States men’s national basketball team competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Offensive Player of the Year: Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum’s durability makes him Boston’s top offensive player. Despite some questionable shot selections, making a near-team-low 28.3-percent of long range shots during the playoffs, Tatum is an all-around scorer that iron-manned his way through 93 games. 

Counting the regular season and playoffs, Tatum totaled a team-high 2,462 points and 496 assists. With 6.4, the St. Louis native also leads the Celtics in offensive win shares, an estimate of the number of wins contributed by a player due to offense, and is ranked 13th in the NBA. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Derrick White, Jrue Holiday

Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are standout defenders, both finishing in the top ten in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earning spots on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Nicknamed "The Stock Exchange," they excel in generating blocks and steals. White recorded 87 blocks and 74 steals, while Holiday had 53 blocks and 61 steals during the regular season. 

The successful partnership between White and Holiday has been recognized on an international level. Both guards were selected to the 2024 United States men's national basketball team for the Paris Olympics. 

Clutch Player of the Year: Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown has risen to the occasion when it matters most, particularly during the later stages of the playoffs. Brown was named both Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP for his efforts. 

Brown’s most clutch shot came during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With the Indiana Pacers leading 97-94 and less than 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the three-time All-Star made a three-point shot over Pascal Siakam. This crucial moment aided Boston to an overtime victory.

Comeback Player of the Year: Kristaps Porzingis 

Despite battling numerous injuries throughout the year, Kristaps Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds over 57 games. He missed ten playoff games due to a strained left calf but returned in time for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, contributing 20 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes. Although re-injured in Game 2, his resilience throughout an injury-plagued career makes him Boston’s top comeback player.

Rising Star: Derrick White

Derrick White is a star in the making, establishing himself as a reliable defensive force. This season, White averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game, earning his second consecutive spot on the All-NBA Defensive Second Team and finishing eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Expect the 30-year-old to earn his first All-Star selection soon.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Summer League Struggles Offer Valuable Lessons to Jordan Walsh

D.J. MacLeay Shares How Baylor Scheierman Impressed Him in Celtics Win vs. Lakers

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Brad Stevens Shares His Outlook on Celtics' Draft Picks

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA Champion Entering Peak of His Powers