Ranking Jayson Tatum's top performances in his Boston Celtics career
By Ray Petree
No. 4: May 18, 2021, Play-In Game vs. Washington Wizards
Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Turnovers | Personal Fouls | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40:37 | 50 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .438 | .417 | 1.00 |
It’s well-documented that Tatum and Bradley Beal share a special bond. Both players were raised in St. Louis and attended the same high school (albeit at different times). Tatum played for Beal’s AAU team and views Beal as a role model — even going as far as to call him an older brother. When the two met in the 2020-21 Play-In Tournament, it was an opportunity for Tatum to show Beal just how far the young star had progressed.
Bradley Beal was still acclimating to a new core in Washington, essentially swapping John Wall for former MVP winner Russell Westbrook. Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics were in unfamiliar territory, finishing 36-36, their worst win-loss percentage since the 2014-15 season. For a team with postseason aspirations, landing in the Play-In Tournament is tantamount to treading water. If the Celtics were gasping for air, Jayson Tatum threw them a lifeline.
Tatum’s mentor, Bradley Beal, led the Wizards with 22 points. The then-23 year old Tatum was dominant, scoring 50 points against the Wizards and hitting all 17 of his free throws in the process.
No. 3: May 13, 2022, Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Milwaukee Bucks
Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Turnovers | Personal Fouls | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
42:43 | 46 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | .531 | .467 | .714 |
In the 2021-22 playoffs, the Boston Celtics met the reigning, defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in the Conference Semifinals. The series was a seven-game thriller, with each team exchanging win-after-win in the first six games. Milwaukee led the Celtics 3-2 entering Game 6, despite the absence of their star wing, Khris Middleton.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was hell bent on beating the Celtics in Middleton’s absence, averaging 33.6 points and 12.6 rebounds in the first five contests. If the Celtics were going to beat the Bucks in Game 6, then Jayson Tatum was going to have to lock his horns with former two-time MVP, Antetokounmpo.
The two stars dueled back and forth throughout the game. When the dust had settled, it was Tatum who had outscored the reigning Finals MVP. Antetokounmpo's performance was impressive — 44 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists; shooting 46.7% from the field. However, Tatum led the game with 46 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists; shooting 53.1% from the field and draining 7/15 three-pointers. Tatum’s herculean efforts helped the Celtics avoid elimination and set the table for Game 7 in the Boston Garden.