Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has officially climbed to third place in the latest NBA MVP ladder rankings.
This update, as reported by NBA.com, places the star player behind only Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama.
Tatum previously ranked fifth in the inaugural ladder of the season, which also included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey.
The recent ascent follows a productive stretch for the Celtics, who currently hold a 10-2 record and sit atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Reflecting on the player’s recent performance, the analysis from NESN highlighted that the forward is effectively moving up the ranks.
The league analyst noted that the week was particularly satisfying for the athlete, specifically citing victories against the Sixers and former teammate Jaylen Brown.
The report detailed that “It was a satisfying week for Tatum, made possible by beating the Sixers and ex-teammate Jaylen Brown to assume a top spot in the East,” according to NBA.com.
Tatum is currently averaging 26.3 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game during his first full season following Achilles surgery.
While his current shooting percentages are 41.3 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from 3-point range, local media reporting suggests these figures are expected to improve.
The player’s recovery from his medical procedure appears to be progressing well, evidenced by a notable dunk over LeBron James in a recent contest.
Beyond the official NBA ladder, Basketball Reference’s MVP tracker also lists Tatum in the third position.
That specific model utilizes a formula based on historical voting results to evaluate potential candidates.
Although the season remains in its early stages, the Celtics star has firmly established himself as a central figure in the ongoing discussion for the most valuable player award.
The team continues to gain momentum after successfully completing a perfect four-game road trip.