Who Was the NBA Player of the Game? Breaking Down Key Performances and Stats

Walking into the Mall of Asia Arena on that humid Wednesday evening, September 17th, just before the 5:30 p.m. tip-off, you could feel the electricity in the air. As someone who’s covered professional basketball for over a decade, I’ve learned to recognize the subtle signs of a game that’s about to deliver something special. Tonight was no exception. The question on everyone’s mind—Who was the NBA player of the game?—isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Sure, the box score gives you numbers, but the real story often lies in the moments that don’t make the stat sheet. Let’s break down what unfolded on the court, blending cold, hard stats with the kind of gut-feel observations you only get from watching these athletes live.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that Jayson Tatum had come to play. He dropped 14 points in the first quarter alone, finishing the night with 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in 41 minutes of action. Those are MVP-caliber numbers, no doubt. But what stood out to me wasn’t just the scoring—it was his efficiency. Tatum shot 52% from the field and went 5-for-11 from beyond the arc. I’ve always believed that efficiency separates the good from the great, and tonight, Tatum embodied that. He wasn’t forcing shots; he was reading the defense, exploiting mismatches, and making the right play almost every time down the floor. Still, as dominant as he was, I couldn’t help but feel that his impact was matched, if not overshadowed, by the defensive masterclass put on by Marcus Smart.

Smart’s stat line—12 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals—doesn’t jump off the page at first glance. But if you were there, you saw it: the deflections, the hustle plays, the way he disrupted the opponent’s offensive flow time and again. I remember one sequence in the third quarter where Smart forced two consecutive turnovers, leading to fast-break buckets that swung the momentum entirely. Defense wins championships, they say, and Smart’s performance was a reminder of why he’s one of the most underrated players in the league. Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for guys who do the dirty work, and Smart was everywhere tonight. It’s players like him who often deserve the "player of the game" nod, even if their contributions aren’t as flashy.

Then there’s the X-factor: Jordan Poole coming off the bench to pour in 28 points in just 29 minutes. He was a flamethrower, hitting 6 three-pointers and drawing fouls that put the opposing team in the penalty early. Poole’s ability to create his own shot is something I’ve admired since his college days, and tonight, he was simply unstoppable in stretches. But here’s where stats can be deceiving—despite his explosive scoring, his defensive lapses and 4 turnovers kept him from being the clear-cut choice for player of the game. In my view, consistency on both ends is what separates the stars from the superstars, and Poole still has room to grow there.

So, who truly deserved the title? If we’re going purely by numbers, Tatum’s 38 points and near-triple-double make a compelling case. But basketball isn’t played on a spreadsheet. Smart’s defensive intensity and Poole’s bench explosion each brought unique value to the table. I’ve always leaned toward rewarding two-way players, and tonight, Smart’s all-around impact—especially in crunch time—tipped the scales for me. That said, I won’t argue too hard if you pick Tatum; his offensive clinic was a thing of beauty. In the end, games like these remind us why we love this sport—it’s the blend of individual brilliance and collective effort that keeps us coming back. Next time you’re debating who the real MVP was, don’t just skim the box score. Watch the game, feel the rhythm, and you’ll see there’s often more than one right answer.