Who Was the NBA Player of the Game? Breaking Down Last Night's Top Performer

Walking into the Mall of Asia Arena last night, I could already feel the electricity in the air—the kind of buzz that tells you something special is about to happen. It was Wednesday, September 17, tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m., and the stage was set for what would become one of the most memorable performances of this young NBA preseason. As someone who’s covered basketball for over a decade, I’ve learned to recognize when a player is about to have one of those nights. Last night, it was clear early on that Jayson Tatum was locked in, and by the final buzzer, there was no doubt in my mind—or in the arena—about who deserved Player of the Game honors.

From the opening possession, Tatum set the tone with a smooth pull-up jumper just inside the arc. It wasn’t just that he scored; it was how he did it. There’s a certain rhythm to his game when he’s feeling it—a mix of patience and explosiveness that separates the good from the great. By the end of the first quarter, he’d already racked up 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including two three-pointers that barely rustled the net. I remember turning to my colleague and saying, "He’s not just warm—he’s on fire." And honestly, it’s performances like these that remind me why I love covering this sport. Tatum didn’t just put up numbers; he controlled the flow, reading defenses like a seasoned quarterback and making adjustments on the fly.

What stood out to me, beyond the scoring, was his playmaking. I’ve always believed Tatum’s passing is underrated, and last night he put that on full display. He dished out 7 assists, many of which came in crucial moments when the defense collapsed on him. One play in particular sticks in my mind—a no-look bounce pass through traffic to Robert Williams for an easy dunk late in the third quarter. It was the kind of high-IQ play that doesn’t always show up in highlight reels but absolutely shifts momentum. Defensively, he was just as impactful, grabbing 9 rebounds and snagging 2 steals. I’ve seen a lot of players put up big scoring nights, but it’s rare to see someone influence the game so thoroughly on both ends without forcing anything.

Now, I know some fans might point to Stephen Curry’s 28 points and say he was in the conversation, and sure, Curry’s shooting was spectacular as always. But here’s where I’ll push back a little—Tatum’s overall impact felt more complete. Curry shot 10-of-22 from the field, which is solid, but Tatum’s efficiency was off the charts: 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also played 36 minutes compared to Curry’s 31, and in a game that stayed tight until the final few possessions, that endurance mattered. I’ve always valued two-way players, and Tatum’s ability to guard multiple positions while carrying the offensive load gives him the edge in my book.

Let’s talk about the intangibles, because stats alone don’t tell the whole story. There was a moment in the fourth quarter when the opposing team cut the lead to just three points, and the arena got tense. Tatum responded by drawing a foul on a tough drive, sinking both free throws, and then forcing a turnover on the next defensive possession. That sequence didn’t just pad his stats—it sealed the game. In my years covering the league, I’ve noticed that the true superstars have a knack for those momentum-swinging plays, and Tatum showed once again that he belongs in that conversation. It’s one thing to score when you’re up by twenty; it’s another to deliver when the pressure is on.

Of course, no performance is perfect, and if I’m being critical, Tatum did have 4 turnovers, a couple of which came from over-penetrating in crowded lanes. But even those mistakes felt like byproducts of his aggressive mindset, and he more than made up for them with his late-game execution. Comparing this to some of his outings last season, I see a player who’s grown more patient, more willing to trust his teammates, and more composed in high-stakes moments. That evolution is what makes him so exciting to watch—and frankly, it’s why I’d pick him as the top performer last night without hesitation.

As the final seconds ticked away and the crowd rose to its feet, I found myself reflecting on what makes a Player of the Game performance truly stand out. It’s not just about the box score; it’s about presence, timing, and the ability to lift your team when it matters most. Jayson Tatum did all of that and more last night at the Mall of Asia Arena. Whether you’re a stats geek, a casual fan, or a basketball purist like me, there was no denying his impact. He didn’t just have a great game—he owned it, and in doing so, he gave us a thrilling preview of what could be an MVP-caliber season ahead.