Months ago, it seemed as though only a miracle would require Jayson Tatum to play any significant part of the season. However, not only did he play 16 regular-season games, but the 28-year-old forward is in the thick of playoff action with the Boston Celtics.
He played 42 minutes in Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night and his 25-point performance was crucial to the Celtics taking a 2-1 series lead, but it was a significant game for other reasons.
On Saturday, the Celtics announced an incredible feat accomplished by their superstar.
“Jayson Tatum is the 2nd-youngest player in NBA history to score 3,000 playoff points. The youngest is LeBron James,” the Celtics wrote on their official X account.
Heading into Game 4 on Sunday, Tatum has already delivered strong performances in his return to the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum is Overcoming the Odds
Tatum’s latest milestone is a huge one because it marks his ninth consecutive playoff appearance for Boston. He has not missed a single postseason, but that was almost the case when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, an injury that sidelined him for nearly 10 months.
Tatum, against the norm, returned in early March which gave him an ample window to prepare for playoff basketball. He didn’t look out of place when the postseason began. In a Game 1 victory against the Sixers, he posted a double-double in just 32 minutes.
The Achilles injury has always been one associated with a difficult recovery and adaptation phase, yet Tatum has shown no sign of slowing down since he returned and has instead grown better with each game.
This isn’t new territory for Tatum. Since entering the league as the No. 3 pick in 2017, he has helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals multiple times and won the championship in 2024.
Milestone Puts Star Among the Greats
By reaching 3,000 playoff points, Tatum now ranks fourth on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list in the postseason, behind legends John Havlicek, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird.
Tatum’s postseason prowess has been key to Boston’s surge as a contender in the East. His fourth-quarter impact in Game 3 helped close out a 108-100 win against a tough Sixers team.
Philadelphia evened out the series in Game 2 at the TD Garden and will look to even the series again in Game 4 at home, where it hopes to disrupt Boston’s rhythm.
Philadelphia, which came via the play-in tournament route has shown flashes of competitiveness, but containing Tatum and his partner Jaylen Brown together has proven difficult. Brown, like Tatum, also scored 25 points in Game 3.
The Achilles Comeback: A Medical Marvel
Tatum’s return from a torn Achilles is nothing short of remarkable. Most athletes take 9 to 12 months to recover, and many never return to their previous level of play.
Tatum came back in under 10 months and has looked like his old self — if not better. His 21.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game since his return are proof that modern medicine and sheer determination can overcome even the most devastating injuries.
The Series Outlook
Boston, meanwhile, will aim to take a 3-1 lead and shift momentum back to TD Garden for a deciding Game 5.
The Celtics came into the postseason as top favorites, being the last team from the East to have won the championship. They entered as the No. 2 seed despite playing the majority of the season without Tatum.
Game 4 tips off Sunday with the Celtics looking to build on their series lead and keep their hopes rolling heading into May.
The Verdict: A Legacy in the Making
Jayson Tatum is 28 years old. He has already accomplished more than most players do in a full career.
He has a championship. He has multiple All-NBA selections. He has an Olympic gold medal. And now, he has 3,000 playoff points — a milestone that places him among the greatest players in NBA history.
But Tatum is not satisfied. He wants more. He wants another ring. He wants to climb higher on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list. He wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Bird, Havlicek, and McHale.
He is well on his way.
The Celtics are up 2-1. Tatum is healthy. The playoffs are in full swing.
And the best may be yet to come.