Celtics forward and six-time NBA All-Star **Jayson Tatum** was named on Friday to the 2024-25 All-NBA first team, the NBA announced.
It is the fifth career All-NBA selection for the eighth-year forward, including his fourth straight selection to the league’s first team.
Tatum was one of four unanimous selections named to the first team, appearing on all 100 ballots along with the Thunders’ **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander**, the league’s MVP, the Nuggets’ **Nikola Jokic**, and the Bucks’ **Giannis Antetokounmpo**. **Donovan Mitchell** of the Cavaliers rounded out the first team, earning his first All-NBA selection.
“Congratulations to Jayson on his All-NBA selection,” **Brad Stevens**, Celtics president of basketball operations, said in a statement. “To be honored five years in a row, with four first-team selections, speaks to his dedication and drive to be amongst the game’s best. He’s a great teammate and player, and is deserving of all the accolades that come his way.”
Tatum, 27, averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, a career-high 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 72 games (all starts) this season, making him one of two NBA players to record 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.0 steals while playing in at least 65 contests (Jokic).
It marked the fifth straight season in which Tatum averaged at least 26 points per game, the NBA’s longest active streak by a player who has appeared in at least 80 percent of his team’s games.
Tatum made a career-high 250 3-pointers, placing him seventh in the league in that category. He was one of two NBA players along with the Timberwolves’ **Anthony Edwards** to make at least 250 3-pointers and 350 free throws.
Tatum tallied 28 games with at least 30 points, which was tied for the fourth-most such efforts in the NBA this season. That included 15 games in which he recorded at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists. He was one of four players to record a 40-point triple-double, doing so on Dec. 21 in Chicago with 43 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
**LeBron James** of the Los Angeles Lakers was a second-team selection, marking his 21st All-NBA honor in 22 seasons. Golden State’s **Stephen Curry** made All-NBA for the 11th time, a feat accomplished by only 21 players in NBA history.player for the 21st time in 22 seasons. He made the second team.
Minneapolis native **Chet Holmgren** could block his hometown team from winning an NBA championship.
Holmgren, a 7-foot-1 forward, has helped the Thunder take a 2-0 lead over the Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. He scored 22 points in Game 2, a 118-103 Thunder win.
Now, he will play Game 3 on Saturday in the same building where he won his fourth state title for Minnehaha Academy in his final high school game.
“Anytime I go home and play, it’s great to be able to play in front of friends, family, old coaches, old teammates,” Holmgren said. “I never take it for granted, and it’s definitely come full circle.”
The Timberwolves weren’t as good as they are now during Holmgren’s childhood — they missed the playoffs every year from 2005 to 2017.
“Growing up, Minnesota was never in the playoffs, so that atmosphere was never really there in the city,” he said. “So I’m sure it’s insane right now.”
Holmgren might have rubbed a few Timberwolves fans the wrong way when he dunked, then stared down Minnesota’s **Donte DiVincenzo** in Game 2 and got called for a technical for taunting. Still, the reception for Holmgren is expected to be warm.
“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t cheered for,” said **Lance Johnson**, Holmgren’s high school coach. “He’s done nothing but make Minnesota people proud. He plays the game with a great attitude.”