After missing Game 2 of the Boston Celtics first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, St. Louisian Jayson Tatum has erupted with a pair of prime offensive performances.
The former Chaminade College Prep All-American scored a game-high 37 points to lead the Celtics to a 107-98 victory in Game 4 to give the Celtics a commanding 3-1 in the best of seven Eastern Conference first-round series.
Tatum has scored a total of 73 points in the two games in Orlando during the weekend. He scored 36 points in the Celtics’ Game 3 loss to the Magic on Friday night. He came back on Sunday with a dominant performance, which included 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line. He has shown no ill effects from a left wrist injury that kept him on the sidelines in Game 2. Tatum also made a move in the history books as he is now in the 15th spot all time for 3-pointers made in the playoffs. He also became the first player in NBA history to score at least 35 points and make at least 12 free throws without a miss in consecutive playoff games.
Tatum was joined in double figures by Jaylen Brown, who scored 21 points, Kristaps Porzingis with 19 points and Derrick White with 18. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 31 points.
The series shifts back to Boston on Tuesday night for Game 5. Tip off is at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The No. 2 seed Celtics will have a chance to close out the series and advance to the conference semifinals.