NBA All-Star Games have become a yearly event for Jayson Tatum.
The Boston Celtics forward was named an Eastern Conference reserve for the 2022 NBA All-Star Team on Thursday. It's Tatum's third consecutive All-Star nod, as the 23-year-old has now made an All-Star Team in three of of his five seasons.
Boston's longest-tenured player, Marcus Smart, was quick to congratulate Tatum on his achievement Thursday night.
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"Big Congrats @jaytatum0 on your 3rd All-Star appearance. Much deserved fam!!!" Smart wrote.
Smart has played a key role in Tatum's success, leading the Celtics with 5.5 assists per game and creating scoring opportunities for Tatum and Jaylen Brown as the team's go-to facilitator.
Brown won't be joining Tatum at the All-Star Game in Cleveland after making last year's squad, but there's an outside chance he gets tabbed as an injury replacement for Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
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Even if Brown doesn't get the nod, he and Tatum appear to be hitting their stride as the Celtics' two young leaders: Tatum averaged an impressive 26.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists in January, while Brown was right behind him with 26.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during that span.
The C's have won five of their last six and will look to stay hot Friday night in a road matchup with the Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. ET.