ESPN Leaves Jayson Tatum Off East All-Star Starting 5

Jayson Tatum is the reigning NBA All-Star Game MVP, and he's led the Celtics to the best record in the East this season, but ESPN doesn't believe he should start for them in February's exhibition classic.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently revealed who he believes should be the starters and reserves for each conference in the upcoming 2024 NBA All-Star Game. 

Notably for the Boston Celtics, star wing Jayson Tatum was left off of Pelton's starting five. His starters from the Eastern Conference included Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Scottie Barnes and Joel Embiid.

Tatum has a solid case to start in the All-Star Game in Indianapolis. He's averaging 27.5 points per game for a Celtics team with the second-best record in the NBA behind only the Minnesota Timberwolves at 16-5.

The reigning NBA All-Star Game MVP, who generated a record 55 points at last year's mid-season Classic, is also grabbing 8.7 rebounds and dishing out 4.2 assists per contest for a Boston team that sits atop the Eastern Conference.

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