Ranking Jayson Tatum's top performances in his Boston Celtics career
By Ray Petree
No. 2: May 28, 2021, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round vs Brooklyn Nets
Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Turnovers | Personal Fouls | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40:31 | 50 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .533 | .455 | .867 |
After defeating the Washington Wizards in the 2020-21 Play-In Tournament, the Boston Celtics advanced to the First Round — where they played the number two seed, Brooklyn Nets. The Nets acquired the Celtics former point guard, Kyrie Irving, before the 2019-20 season — in a divorce that can only be described as “acrimonious.”
Alongside Irving, the Brooklyn Nets had formed a fearsome triumvirate: acquiring former league MVP James Harden from Houston earlier that season. The pair were led by two-time champion, Kevin Durant, who was arguably the best player in the world at that time. Meanwhile, the Celtics, having finished a meager 36-36, were without Brown, who missed the 2020-21 postseason after undergoing wrist surgery.
The Nets handily won Game 1 and Game 2, behind balanced efforts from Durant, Harden, and Irving. With their backs against the wall, the Boston Celtics returned to the Garden for Game 3. Out-manned and out-gunned, the Celtics turned their star wing. Tatum answered the call.
Game 3 in the Boston Garden was a shootout for the ages. Harden scored 41 points, shooting 61.1% from the field. His teammate, Durant scored 39, shooting 54.2% from the field. But it was Tatum who led all scorers with 50 — 29 of which came in the second half. Tatum’s extraordinary performance helped the Celtics weather the storm and defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 125-119; preventing the team from falling 0-3 — a deficit that no team has ever recovered from. Unfortunately, Kemba Walker missed Game 4 and Game 5 with a bone bruise in his left knee, jeopardizing the Celtics' chances of fighting their way back in the series.