No. 1: May 14, 2023, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Turnovers | Personal Fouls | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
41:40 | 51 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .607 | .600 | .786 |
The 2022-23 Eastern Conference Semifinals were a back-and-forth affair, with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers exchanging wins in each of the first four contests. The ‘Sixers were the first team to land consecutive blows, winning Game 4 in Philadelphia and Game 5 on the road, in the Garden.
The league’s MVP, Joel Embiid, returned from a knee injury in Game 2 of the series but experienced a little ring rust in his debut. Between Game 3 and Game 6, the heavyweight was extraordinary — averaging nearly 31 points and 11 rebounds.
In Game 6, the ‘Sixers led 73-71 entering the fourth quarter. Tatum, who was 1/13 from the field through the first three quarters, came alive in the fourth — scoring 16 points while shooting 4/5 from the three-point line. Down 3-2 and facing elimination, Tatum’s late-game heroics had set the stage for Game 7 in the Boston Garden, but Tatum wasn’t finished.
Against the Philadelphia 76ers and the league’s MVP, Embiid, Tatum broke Stephen Curry’s record for the most points scored in a Game 7; notching 51 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Tatum was surgical, shooting 60.7% from the field and 60.0% from the three-point line — leading the Celtics to their third Eastern Conference Finals in only four years.
Tatum was showered with “MVP” chants by the Boston faithful, etching his name into Celtics lore.