Celtics' Jayson Tatum Nearing Rare NBA Postseason Scoring Milestone
Jayson Tatum didn't just return from a torn Achilles. He came back looking like the best player on the floor.
After going down in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals with one of the more serious injuries a basketball player can suffer, Tatum was back on the court by March 6 and played 16 regular-season games to shake off the rust.
He averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in that stretch. For a guy coming off an Achilles tear, they were a sign that something good was coming. Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers confirmed it.
Tatum scored 21 points in the first half alone, finished with eight rebounds and four assists and the Boston Celtics handled Philadelphia with ease, winning 123-91 at TD Garden.
Tatum closing in on historic NBA scoring mark
Any lingering concern about where his game was after months away disappeared pretty quickly on Thursday night. The performance also moved him within reach of something that very few players have ever done.
According to Opta Stats, Tatum has averaged at least 25 points per game in each of his last six postseasons. That kind of sustained scoring in the playoffs already separates him from most players in the league.
To stretch it to seven consecutive postseasons, he would join Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, James Harden, LeBron James and George Gervin as the only players in NBA history to do it. That is the group Tatum is chasing right now.
Jayson Tatum sets tone as Celtics eye playoff statement
There is also a Boston Celtics record within his sights. Tatum now has 38 playoff games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, tying Kevin McHale for third in franchise history. Bill Russell holds second with 48 and Larry Bird sits at the top with 61. Both marks are a ways off but Tatum is trending in the right direction at the right time.
The way Boston played in Game 1 made the win look even more complete. The Celtics were perfect, going 10-for-10 on shots that came off passes and knocking down 9 of 10 open looks.
Tatum set the tone early, scoring or assisting on 19 first-quarter points, which topped everything Philadelphia put up in that same period by himself.
Game 2 is next and the Celtics have all the momentum. With Tatum healthy and playing like this, Boston looks like a team that is just getting started.
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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM.