What happened: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum rose two spots to No. 3 in the Week 4 NBA MVP Ladder following a 34-point performance at Charlotte. The climb came after Boston defeated former teammate Jaylen Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Why it matters: Boston sits atop the Eastern Conference at 10-2 with a five-game winning streak. The early surge keeps the Celtics ahead of Philadelphia, who trail by a half-game at 10-3.
By the numbers: Tatum is averaging 26.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 2026-27 through 11 games, while Boston has won five straight to lead the Eastern Conference at 10-2.
What to watch: Boston continues its regular-season slate looking to extend its five-game winning streak atop the Eastern Conference.