Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum just had the best game of his career, on national television and in TD Garden. Against the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the top teams in the league, and All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard, one of the top three players in the game today.
It was sensational.
En route to a game-high 39 points, Tatum scored with ease, an uncanny confidence even. After knocking down three three-pointers in the first quarter to set the tone for the Celtics, he took the ball to the rack, constantly. He hit tough midrange jumpers and his sidestep three.
Ball-fakes, crossovers, footwork. It was all put on display.
Perhaps the Clippers should have put Kawhi on him more than Landry Shamet, as the latter could do nothing to stop the third-year pro.
Then again, Tatum got the best of the two-time Defensive Player of the Year multiple times too.
To add to his dominance stat line, Tatum added nine rebounds while shooting 14-23 from the field and 5-10 from three-point range.
It’s no wonder he earned MVP chants while at the free-throw line. No wonder he broke character after the Celtics sealed the deal in double-overtime, letting excitement sliver in through his normally placid state.
Per NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg:
“I did get a little excited. I try to be as humble as I can and try to keep a poker face and just move onto the next play. But basketball is a game of emotions and the crowd was into it.
I got excited a little bit. But I try to stay calm.”
Tatum’s teammates and coaches offered high praise for their budding superstar after the game, with teammate Kemba Walker — arguably the team’s best player at the beginning of the season — appearing the most complimentary.
“He was incredible,” said Walker. “He made every right play. He made every big shot. He was the best player on the court tonight.”
Marcus Smart, who scored an impressive 31 points while notching a game-high four steals, managed to compliment his teammate while looking at the big picture. Noting that Tatum has matured and the work he’s putting in is now showing, Smart says that how Tatum’s growth isn’t just good for him, “but for this team.”
As Celtics head coach Brad Stevens says, “he played a good two-way game, but he’s been a good two-way player.”
Though remarkable, Tatum’s growth offensively has been expected. It’s his performance on the less glamorous end that’s been surprising, with the 6’8” forward routinely using his 6’11” wingspan to alter shots and make plays in the passing lanes.
That’s what led to Tatum’s confidence in asking to guard Leonard in key, clutch moments. Though it wasn’t just Tatum who caused his uncharacteristically inefficient performance, Leonard shot just 10-27 (37.0 percent) from the field.
Tatum has yet to reach his peak but he’s realizing his powers and putting it all on display this season. As Clippers head coach Doc Rivers asked before Thursday’s game, can you imagine how Tatum will be playing in five years?
With the next generation of superstars ready to take over the league by that time, he may indeed be a top-five player by then.
One that the Celtics will want to keep in town for the entirety of his career.