Jayson Tatum Sets Game 7 Scoring Record in Celtics’ Blowout Win
As it turned out, Stephen Curry held the NBA’s Game 7 scoring record for two whole weeks.
That’s because Celtics wing Jayson Tatum erupted for a historic 51 points during Sunday’s 112-88 win over the 76ers, sending Boston to the Eastern Conference finals and topping the 50 points Curry notched during Game 7 of Golden State’s first-round series win over the Kings.
Tatum was outstanding all game long but took control of the game during the third quarter, during which Boston went on a 28-3 run to turn what was a tight contest into a blowout. He made 17 of his 28 shot attempts to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and no turnovers.
Tatum is now just the third player in Celtics history to have 40 or more points in a Game 7, joining Sam Jones and Paul Pierce. Tatum’s showing on Sunday was a continuation of his fourth-quarter heroics during Game 6, when he buried multiple clutch shots late in the game after a woeful shooting performance through the game’s first three quarters.
The Celtics’ win will pit them against the No. 8-seed Heat in the next round. Game 1 of that series is set to tip off on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Boston.
