Jayson Tatum is coming off a year for the history books. After leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA title and securing an Olympic gold medal, Tatum is aiming even higher for 2025. In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, the Celtics star predicted another deep postseason run, forecasting a rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals between Boston and the Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s gonna be a rematch,” Tatum confidently stated. “We’re gonna play Dallas again.”
The Celtics and Mavericks clashed in the 2024 NBA Finals, with Boston emerging victorious in just five games. Tatum was a key force in that series, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. The Celtics handled Dallas with relative ease, securing their first championship with Tatum at the helm.
Tatum’s recent accolades don’t stop with the championship and Olympic gold. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP was also named the cover athlete for NBA 2K25, an honor that he considers one of his coolest achievements yet. “That might be the coolest thing,” Tatum shared. “Just as a kid, every kid grew up playing NBA 2K. First, you dream about being in the game, and that happens in your rookie year. Then, the top of the mountain is being on the cover. Just seeing it now is a surreal feeling.”
Tatum’s career hit another milestone this summer when he inked a record-breaking five-year contract extension with the Celtics, valued at $314 million. The deal solidifies his future in Boston and cements him as one of the league’s highest-paid players.
With his sights set on more success, Tatum’s 2024 achievements set a high bar, but his confidence in a 2025 Celtics-Mavericks Finals rematch suggests he believes Boston can deliver another dominant season. Fans will be eager to see if Tatum can continue his remarkable run and lead the Celtics to back-to-back titles.