Jayson Tatum showed on Friday why he deserves to be an All-Star starter this year! JT has come to be regarded as one of the most clutch players in the league. And he lived up to his reputation by securing a late-game winner for the Boston Celtics against the New Orleans Pelicans. While Tatum himself was elated for himself after the win, there was someone who was even more overjoyed.

And that person is Brandi Cole, Jayson’s mom!

With 0.2 seconds on the clock, the reigning champ let fly a jumper that swished into the net, earning the Celtics the win. The final score was 118-116, with Tatum responsible for 27 of those points. He also doubled up on assists with 10 to go with his 27 points and 6 rebounds. It was an all-round great performance by No. 0.

And his mom, Brandi Cole, was ecstatic after her son’s heroics, choosing to use Instagram to voice her delight. “BALLGAME. He not lucky. HE IS HIM!!!!,” she wrote in her story. The picture she chose was of Jayson coldly staring into the cheering crowd like their Messiah.

Mama Cole’s reaction only served to underscore how awe-inspiring his game was. Even his teammate Kristaps Porziņģis couldn’t help but express his amazement. “JT, he was due for a nice game-winner. Smooth, looked good, and he did it. He brought us home,” said the Latvian. But has this phenomenal game-winner made Jayson Tatum the most clutch player in the league? Let’s have a look.

Is Jayson Tatum the most clutch player in the league?

No, this isn’t recency bias. There is definitely a pattern of JT coming up clutch whenever Boston needs him the most. And this is despite the Celtics’ questionable late-game execution.

Just last Monday we saw Tatum level the score against the Houston Rockets. And even though the Celtics lost that game in the final play of the night, there was no denying that JT was clutch. In fact, with his shot against the Pelicans, Jayson went 3 for 6 on shots to tie or take the lead with 5 seconds or less remaining on the clock. 

And his stats in clutch situations will further the argument we’re making. This season he has 79 points from such situations, the sixth-most in the league. But that’s not all! Tatum is second in field goals made-29, and assists-20. Furthermore, he is second in defensive rebounds in clutch situations (via nba.com). Just goes to show that he can not only win games for the Celtics but also stop his opponents from doing so.

With moments like the shot on Friday and the numbers to back it up, we believe Jayson Tatum is THE most clutch player in the NBA. And its clear that his mom, Brandi Cole, also feels the same way! But let us know what you think. Is Jayson Tatum truly HIM?