Jayson Tatum named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February

Jayson Tatum got a gift from the NBA on Tuesday afternoon on his 22nd birthday, being named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the first time in his career.

Tatum averaged a team-high 30.7 points (49.4% FG, 48.1% 3-PT), 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocked shots to help guide Boston to a 9-3 record for the month despite missing his All-Star teammate Kemba Walker for half of those contests. Tatum was also one of two NBA players to post 30 points and 7 rebounds per game in the month alongside Russell Westbrook. LeBron James was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for February.

At 30.7 ppg, Tatum becomes the fifth player in franchise history to average at least 30.0 points in a calendar month and is the first Celtics player to earn Player of the Month honors since Isaiah Thomas in Jan. 2017. He also captured Eastern Conference Player of the Week recognition earlier in the month (Feb. 3-9) after producing 29.8 points (50.0% FG, 53.8% 3-PT) and 7.5 rebounds in four games (all wins).

Brad Stevens spoke on Tatum's growth at Tuesday's shootaround.

"I don't know that we put limits on him," Stevens said of his growth. "Sometimes you do have to take a step back and say what he's accomplished at this age is pretty remarkable. I don't think he's satisfied with that. The improvement's been good. Every step of the way, he's improved from what's happened last. It's a good sign. I'm encouraged by him."

In 55 games this season, Tatum is averaging a team-high 23.5 points (45.0% FG, 39.6% 3-PT), 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.5 minutes. He is expected to miss Tuesday's game against the Nets due to illness.