Along with 50 points, Jayson Tatum had eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal to cap off Tuesday’s 118-100 win over the Washington Wizards in the second game of the NBA’s play-in tournament.
Being down by two at halftime proved all it took for the Boston Celtics captain to return to the court with fresh fire after the half. Tatum would open the half with a feisty and-one, igniting teammate Walker who would follow with three straight shots from long range to gain the lead.
An enrollment of defense would be next, extinguishing the Wizards offense as the Celtics held a lead of 10 or more for almost all of the third quarter! Tatum would provide the offense to match. The forward nearly single-handedly outscored the Wizards (26) as grabbed 23 points in the third quarter alone, even hitting a sweet turnaround jumper over Bradley Beal.
In the fourth quarter, the Celtics seemed to be indulging in whatever juice was handed out at the third as the defense denied Wizard scoring for nearly three minutes straight! All the while, the Celtics continued to run their scoring up to the sky, at one point even being up by 18! Tatum would close the second half with 32 points, and end the game with a perfect 17 of 17 from the free throw line.
The matchup would mark Tatum’s third 50-point game this season. A season in which the forward has taken his scoring ability to new heights. After letting loose 53 points on the Timberwolves in early April, it would only be three weeks before Tatum would pick up his career high. In an overtime comeback win over the Spurs, he’d release 60 points tying the franchise-record with Larry Bird.
Tatum & Walker
Along with the highs, this season has also issued its set of lows as injuries have scattered their way through the green and gold’s top three starters, Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker. Tuesday would be Tatum and Walker’s first day back after not playing in the New York Knicks matchup on Sunday.
Walker would rake in 29 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals to add his support towards a playoff push.
As Brown has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury, it would ultimately be Tatum though that would be hit with the weight of willing his team to the playoffs. Totaling 50 points to Wizards Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook’s combined 42 (thanks also to the efforts also of the Celtics 3rdquarter defense), it’s safe to say he delivered.
“I don’t really get caught up in those who think I am a superstar and those that don’t. I know that my teammates, I’ve earned their respect. I’ve earned the respect of the guys I play against and the coaches… that’s all that matters.”
The Celtics are set to face the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night in Round one of the NBA Playoffs.
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