Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 5 vs. Cavaliers

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics are introduced prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

1. The Celtics may not have a superstar yet, but they will one day

Maybe Jayson Tatum read our article Wednesday questioning how much Boston was missing Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. According to his performance in Game 5, they’re quite fine.

Entering the playoffs, no player under 21 had ever posted a better Game Score than LeBron James against LeBron James in a playoff game.

Jayson Tatum has now done it twice.

Essentially... he's the youngest player to ever outplay LeBron in a playoff game.

This kid is special.
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) May 24, 2018

Tatum possesses range on both sides of the floor, improving from his rough start on the season.

Jayson Tatum has been a massive two-way difference maker for the Celtics this quarter. Active off-ball jumping the passing lanes, attacking the basket, hit the off-the-dribble 3. (And he's only 20.)
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 24, 2018

He’s one of the few rookies to ever say they outplayed LeBron James in a playoff game, as Tatum finished a phenomenal all-around Game 5 with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals on 7-of-15 shooting.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

We know about the future dilemma facing the Celtics from a roster perspective. Who to let go and who to keep could loom large for some time as Boston doesn’t have much cap space. Jayson Tatum’s name was already a keeper, but with more performances like he’ll soon be untouchable.

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