Everyone knows Jayson Tatum is one of the best players in the NBA, but few fans would rank him among the all-time legends.
But the Boston Celtics star joined some legendary NBA company Thursday night. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 34 points and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds to key a 121-118 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors.
In the process, Tatum, 24, because just the 10th player in NBA history to score 9,000 points before turning 25.
Jayson Tatum reached 9,000 points in his career. He is the 10th player in NBA history to reach 9,000 points before the age of 25. pic.twitter.com/1CSz85nMWd
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 20, 2023
That 9,000 points total might seem somewhat arbitrary, but there’s no questioning the legitimacy of the players on the list, all of whom are in the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame or destined to be there one day. In order, they are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Devin Booker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shaquille O’Neal and Anthony Davis.
Tatum hasn’t played himself even near the Hall of Fame bubble yet, but he’s definitely playing like an MVP candidate this year, averaging 31.1 points per game.
NBA fans on Twitter applauded Tatum, who struggled with his shooting Thursday (9-of-27 from the field) but soldiered on. Boston Celtics in-house reporter Marc D’Amico tweeted, “Jayson Tatum played the final 41 minutes of the game with no break. That was some Herculean stuff he just did at TD Garden man. He is unbelievable.”
Jayson Tatum played the final 41 minutes of the game with no break. That was some Herculean stuff he just did at TD Garden man. He is unbelievable.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) January 20, 2023
The NBA’s Twitter account posted, “Jayson Tatum became the first Celtic to record 30+ PTS, 15+ REB, and 5+ AST in a game since Paul Pierce (2002) as he led the Celtics to the Finals rematch W!
Jayson Tatum became the first Celtic to record 30+ PTS, 15+ REB, and 5+ AST in a game since Paul Pierce (2002) as he led the @celtics to the Finals rematch W!
Steph Curry: 29 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 6 3PM
Al Horford: 20 PTS, 10 REB📲 https://t.co/WFdLNEjikq pic.twitter.com/NtlboHLniu
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2023
“A beast!” tweeted a fan.
A beast!
— Bob Briggs (@BobBrig43803547) January 20, 2023
“Jayson Tatum is so good that 34 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists is an ‘off night,'” tweeted Trevor Hass.
Jayson Tatum is so good that 34 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists is an “off night.”
— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) January 20, 2023
