Jayson Tatum put on an impressive performance as the Boston Celtics routed the Philadelphia 76ers 120-96 in Game 7 of their NBA playoff series. Tatum scored 51 points, including nine three-pointers, and added 10 rebounds and four assists in the victory.
The Celtics got off to a fast start, building a 17-point lead in the first quarter. The Sixers were unable to mount a comeback and were outscored in every quarter of the game. Joel Embiid, who had been dominant in the series, was held to just 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
Tatum’s 51-point outburst was a career-high and tied John Havlicek’s Celtics playoff record. The 23-year-old forward was unstoppable throughout the game, hitting shots from all over the court and showing off his range and athleticism. His nine three-pointers tied Ray Allen’s Celtics playoff record.
The Celtics will now advance to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks, led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, are the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference and will present a tough challenge for the Celtics.
Despite the loss, the Sixers had a successful season, finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference and earning the top seed in the playoffs. Embiid, who finished second in MVP voting, was a dominant force throughout the season and was one of the top performers in the playoffs.
The Celtics-Sixers rivalry is one of the most storied in NBA history, with the two teams meeting in the playoffs 21 times prior to this year’s series. The Celtics have won 13 of those series, while the Sixers have won eight.
Tatum’s performance in Game 7 will go down in Celtics lore and cement his status as one of the league’s rising stars. His ability to score from anywhere on the court makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, and he will be a key player as the Celtics continue their playoff run.