Jayson Tatum made unique history following record-breaking 55-point All-Star Game performance
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum made NBA All-Star Game history Sunday in Utah, scoring 55 points in Team Giannis Antetokounmpo's 184-175 win over Team LeBron James.
Tatum's remarkable performance also helped him accomplish an NBA first.
According to ESPN's Matt Williams, Tatum is the first player to post games of 50 or more points in the regular season, postseason and All-Star Game.
Tatum has five 50-point outings during the regular season in his career, including a high of 60 posted in 2021 against the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, Tatum dropped 50 points against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2021 postseason.
Unsurprisingly, Tatum was named this year's Kobe Bryant MVP. Tatum shot 22-of-31 from the field and 10-of-18 from 3, adding 10 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block.
Tatum's 55-point performance in the NBA's All-Star showcase tops the previous best of 52 points, posted by Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis in 2017, per ESPN Stats and Info.
"It means the world. You think of all the legends and great players that's played this game," Tatum said. "And in all honesty, records are made to be broken, so I'll hold it as long as I can. But I'm certain somebody will come along in a couple years and try to break it."
The 24-year-old ranks sixth in the NBA in points (30.6), averaging career-highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (4.5).
Tatum and the Celtics will come out of the All-Star break considered one of the favorites to win the NBA title. Heading into the stretch run of the regular season, Boston owns the best record in the NBA at 42-17.
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