According to StatMuse (first noted by Tucker Boynton of Stats Over Storylines), Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is the first player since Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry to average at least 30 points per game while shooting at least 48% from 3-point range (on a minimum of 50 3-point attempts).
He’s the fourth player to do so in the last 35 seasons, as he joins NBA icons Michael Jordan and Larry Bird (along with Curry) after what was the most impressive month of his professional career. The third-year pro averaged 30.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in February, shooting 49.4% from the field, 48.1% percent from three and 76.9% from the free-throw line.
Players who averaged 30 PPG on 48 3P% in a single month in the last 35 seasons (min 10 games, 50 3PA):
– Larry Bird (Mar 1986)
– Michael Jordan (Feb 1997)
– Steph Curry (Feb 2016)
– Jayson Tatum (Feb 2020)(Submitted by @Tucker_TnL) pic.twitter.com/oGwg27YHJJ
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 1, 2020
Tatum’s excellent month also resulted in him becoming the fifth Celtics player to average at least 30 points in a month, putting him in league with Bird, Paul Pierce, John Havlicek and Isaiah Thomas.
It’s been a breakout season for the St. Louis native, with his eye-popping numbers at such a young age making many wonder what level of dominance he can achieve when he reaches his prime. Just 21-years-old, the former third overall pick was just named to his first All-Star game this season.
He’s set to become one of the future faces of the league, not just the Celtics, with his play. Even the league’s premier players — from Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal to Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James — taking notice.
That man @jaytatum0 the GOAT 🐐!! No hatred will be tolerated! #STLbred https://t.co/yT1DsHcprU
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) February 27, 2020
Tatum is now averaging 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game this season while shooting 45.0% from the field, 39.6% from 3-point range and 81.6% from the charity stripe. His scoring average, steal average and 3-point percentage are team-highs.
With Boston posed to make a legitimate run in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, for this season and beyond, Tatum continuing to play at such a high level is key to the team’s short-term and long-term success. Although he has a ways to go to leave the mark on the franchise that Bird or even Pierce did, the sky is the limit for the young man.