Jayson Tatum delivered a performance fit for a king Wednesday night.
Royalty at TD Garden @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/vf9E893Of6
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 1, 2022
Prince William and Princess Kate were in attendance for a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference finals and saw Tatum score 49 points in a 134-121 Boston win over Miami.
He set the tone with the first bucket of the night and delivered a greatest-hits collection.
Tatum punching it home to start #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/ZIduWxQQ7k
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 1, 2022
With 2:33 left in the first quarter, Tatum blew past Miami power forward Udonis Haslem before making a nice cut to get past small forward Max Strus before delivering a smooth shot.
JT that was NASTY! pic.twitter.com/Wfb78uP9AI
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 1, 2022
In the midst of a 28-point first half, Tatum toyed with small forward Caleb Martin before drilling a straight-away three-pointer.
It's just too easy @jaytatum0 pic.twitter.com/bsx1kTN8kw
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 1, 2022
The best play that resulted in points for Tatum started with a high-energy play from forward Grant Williams and shows what makes the Celtics the favorites to win the NBA title. (h/t Oddschecker)
GRANT SAVE ⏩TATUM TRIPLE! pic.twitter.com/2NyKnHLY3d
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 1, 2022
Williams made a fantastic hustle play in chasing down a loose ball before falling on the court and swinging the ball to Marcus Smart before Tatum knocked down one of his eight threes.
His performance drew the highest possible amount of enthusiasm from the royal family.
Prince William after another Jayson Tatum 3.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 1, 2022
“He’s very good.” pic.twitter.com/5FUeLcqUkx
Tatum's massive stat line was historic, per Stat Muse.
Jayson Tatum is the first player in NBA history to record multiple games with
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 1, 2022
45+ points
10+ rebounds
8+ threes pic.twitter.com/Zv67arF6dU
Boston (18-4) has won five in a row and is first in the Eastern Conference. Nights like this give plenty of evidence for Boston to be considered the best team in basketball and Tatum a popular pick for MVP.
After his performance in front of the future king and queen, we might need to start calling him Sir Jayson Tatum.
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