LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Jayson Tatum produced an electrifying 51-point display as the Boston Celtics marked the NBA’s Martin Luther King Day holiday schedule with a 130-118 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
Two days after scoring 33 points against Charlotte on Saturday, Tatum once again took centre stage with a commanding performance as the Eastern Conference leaders claimed a seventh straight victory.
Tatum’s virtuoso display was one of several eye-catching individual performances around the NBA on Monday, with LeBron James erupting for 48 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over Houston and Golden State’s Stephen Curry scoring 41 points against Washington.
Tatum brought up his half century in the closing seconds, nervelessly draining a long-range three-pointer which drew roars of appreciation from the home crowd at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.
It was the final act of an 18-point fourth quarter from Tatum, who made 15-of-23 from the field with seven three-pointers, nine rebounds and five assists.
It marked the fifth time in Tatum’s career he has posted more than 50 points in a game. His career high remains a 60-point performance against San Antonio in 2021.
Monday’s tally also means the 24-year-old is the Celtics all-time leader in regular-season 50-point games, surpassing franchise icon Larry Bird’s total of four.
“It’s been a while since I scored 50, so I needed that one,” Tatum joked after the win, adding that scoring 51 points on the national holiday to honour civil rights hero King carried added meaning.
“Without him I wouldn’t be able to do what I do and live out my dream,” Tatum said.
Boston’s victory saw them improve to 33-12 at the top of the East, 4.5 games clear of second-placed Brooklyn.
Elsewhere on Monday, Warriors ace Curry bagged the 67th game of his career with 40 points or more to save the Golden State Warriors with a 127-118 road win over the Washington Wizards.
The Warriors, who played in the nation’s capital a day before a scheduled White House visit in recognition of last season’s NBA championship win, looked to be sliding to defeat as Washington led 106-98 midway through the fourth quarter.
But two three-pointers from Draymond Green sparked a burst of Warriors scoring, with Curry finishing on 41 points after a closing 27-8 run.
“It’s whatever it takes at this point for us to try and right the ship, and get some good momentum, good energy around the team and an understanding of how to win games on the road,” said Curry, paying tribute to the work of Green and Jordan Poole, who finished with 32 points.
“Draymond was unbelievable in the fourth quarter and Jordan kept us alive in the first half,” said Curry.
“Collectively we just had a little bit more composure down the stretch and a little bit more intelligence on how to finish the game and not get rattled in that fourth quarter.”
