Celtics All-Star erupts for record performance in Game 7
Jayson Tatum set a Game 7 playoff record on Sunday, exploding for 51 points in the Boston Celtics' series-clinching blowout over the Philadelphia 76ers, 112-88.
Tatum joins Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry as the only other player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in a Game 7, bettering his outing by a point.
Tatum finished the game shooting 17-of-28 from the field and 6-of-10 from beyond the arc while adding 13 rebounds and five assists to his stat line.
In the first half of the elimination game, Tatum became only the fifth player since the 1997-98 season to score 25 or more points before halftime of a Game 7, joining Luka Doncic (2021, 2022), Paul Pierce (2008), LeBron James (2018) and Jamal Murray (2020), per NBA History.
With the Celtics up by three at the break, Tatum continued his domination in the second half, dropping 26 points to help Boston outscore the Sixers 57-36 en route to the statement-making win.
Tatum now has 50-point games in the regular season, playoffs, All-Star Game and a Game 7.
The 25-year-old forward joins James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant as the only players in the history of the NBA to have scored 30 or more points in 20-plus playoff games before turning 26.
Over the seven-game series versus the 76ers, Tatum averaged 29 points, 11.1 rebounds and five assists.
In the season's biggest contest, Tatum left little doubt about who would emerge from Game 7 victorious. Now, onward to the Eastern Conference Finals and a date with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
More must-reads: