It has been said that “Game 7” are the two most exciting words in sports, and Sunday offered fans a Game 7 in one of the NBA’s best and most historic rivalries: the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.
But this contest turned into a rout in the third quarter, and the big reason why was Jayson Tatum.
He took over with a flurry of buckets in the period, and the Celtics turned a competitive game into a 112-88 laugher.
Tatum ended up with 51 points on 17-of-28 shooting plus 13 rebounds and five assists, and in doing so, he scored the most points anyone has ever scored in a Game 7.
HISTORY FOR JAYSON TATUM 🔥
51 POINTS AND COUNTING 😱 pic.twitter.com/3wdulBhlFE
— ESPN (@espn) May 14, 2023
The recent explosion of scoring the league has seen continues, as the previous record for most points in a Game 7 was set in just the previous round when Stephen Curry erupted for 50 points versus the Sacramento Kings.
Fans were amazed at what they saw on Sunday from Tatum.
He said after the Celtics’ heroic Game 6 win that he’s one of the best basketball players in the world, and this fan noted that he proved that point.
Confirmed: he is “one of the best basketball players in the world”
— Xor🏁 (@virtuereel) May 14, 2023
Boston will now advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they will face the Miami Heat for the third time in the last four seasons.
This Heat praised Tatum for his performance, but then said he will be in for a real challenge.
Gotta give him his flowers. He played lights out. He’s about to feel the pressure on Wednesday against my Heat. #HEATCulture
— Woo (@woosupreme_) May 14, 2023
This fan said that the 76ers weren’t even a worthy opponent for Tatum and the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.
Sixers is one overrated team !! If Sixers were in the Western Conference, they wouldn’t even make the Playoffs 🚮
— Elim’s Dad (@NsofwaLombe) May 14, 2023
This Celtics fan wants a lot more from Tatum.
This is the Tatum we need each playoff game. If he does that we win title number 18
— Ed Powers (@tattooguy646) May 14, 2023
Tatum has been accused of not playing his best in big games and not stringing together excellent performances, and for the Celtics to get past Miami, he will have to play with a consistency he hasn’t really shown before.
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