Is Jayson Tatum Putting Too Much Pressure on Himself? Celtics Star Shares His Perspective

In the Celtics' 107-97 Game 4 loss to the Warriors, Jayson Tatum finished with 23 points on 23 shots, extending his shooting struggles this series.

Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Four games into his first NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum's averaging 22.3 points, the least he's generated in a series in the Celtics' playoff run.

He's knocking down 3.5 of the 7.8 threes he's taking (45.2 percent) but shooting an astonishingly low 34.1 percent from the field. Even at the free-throw line, Tatum's only converting on 73.1 percent of his opportunities.

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Tatum suffered a stinger in his right shoulder in Boston's Eastern Conference Finals tilt with the Heat, and there are moments in these Finals where he's grabbing his right arm, noticeably in pain.

Regardless of its role in slowing down the All-NBA First-Team member, Tatum's made more of an impact facilitating than scoring in the NBA Finals. That may not be enough for the Celtics to raise banner 18 to the rafters.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, when asked how much pressure Tatum's putting on himself, he responded: "I guess the same amount of pressure I've always had; it's not something I go to sleep thinking about and (it's on my mind when I) wake up.

"I want to win by any means necessary, and I'll do whatever it takes. That's all I care about right now is winning. Whether you win or you don't win, you guys will debate rankings or what does that matter for your legacy and things like that; that's not up to me. In this moment, I've said it, I felt like every day, just trying to do what I can to impact winning by all costs."

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Further Reading

[Film Room] Keys to Celtics Getting Jayson Tatum Going in Game 5 of NBA Finals

Celtics Address Reasons Behind Their Offense Stagnating in Game 4 Loss to Warriors

What Stood Out in Game 4 of NBA Finals: Warriors Show Championship Resolve in Series-Tying Win

[Film Room] In NBA Finals Game 3, Jaylen Brown Balanced Scoring and Facilitating, Showing How He Can Raise Celtics' Ceiling

Tony Parker Sizes Up the NBA Finals, Talks Ime Udoka and His Collaboration with MTN Dew LEGEND

Celtics Feed Off Home Crowd in Game 3 Win Over Warriors: 'They give us so much energy and so much juice'

The Anatomy of the Celtics' Fourth-Quarter Comeback in Game 1 of NBA Finals