Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum of St. Louis, Missouri became the first player this season to have multiple 50-point games. After scoring 51 points in a 116-87 win over the Washington Wizards on January 23, Tatum had 54 points for the Celtics in a 126-120 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Tatum made 16 of 30 field goals, eight of 15 three-point attempts, and 14 of 17 free throws. He also had five rebounds, three assists, and was a +12.
According to ESPN, Tatum became the second player in NBA history to record a 50 point game against the same team once in the regular season and once in the playoffs before the age of 25. He also scored 50 points for the Celtics in game three of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Nets on May 28, 2021 in a 125-119 Boston win.
The other player to accomplish the feat was Wilt Chamberlain of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who achieved the feat with the Philadelphia Warriors against the Celtics and Syracuse Nationals. Chamberlain had 53 points in a 126-108 win over the Celtics on February 23, 1960, and 50 points in a 128-107 win over the Celtics on March 22, 1960 in game five of the Eastern Division Finals. Chamberlain also had 53 points in a 132-112 win over the Nationals on March 14, 1960 in game three of the Eastern Division Semifinals, 56 points in a 139-127 win over the Nationals on January 5, 1961, and 56 points in a 149-128 Warriors loss to the Nationals on March 1, 1961.
With the win, the Celtics improved to a record of 39 wins and 27 losses. They have now won three games in a row and are fifth in the Eastern Conference.
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