Inside The Celtics

Jayson Tatum Discusses Becoming Youngest Celtic to Score 10,000 Points

Jayson Tatum is the tenth-youngest player in NBA history to score 10,000 career points.

Bobby Krivitsky

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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Jayson Tatum entered Saturday night's game at Barclays Center needing only 16 points to become the youngest player in Boston Celtics history to score 10,000 career points.

After registering eight in the first quarter, it became clear it wouldn't take long for him to achieve that milestone. Sure enough, with 5:05 left in the second frame, the four-time All-Star carved up the Brooklyn Nets' defense en route to a layup through contact, leading to the free throw that made franchise history.

The two-time All-NBA First Team selection is also the tenth-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points.

After generating 32 points and 11 rebounds, pacing all participants in the two categories, in the Celtics' 124-114 win over the Nets, as the NBA's last unbeaten team improved to 5-0, Tatum reflected on his latest accomplishment.

"That's special," he told NBC Sports Boston's Abby Chin. That's cool. I've been blessed to be at a great franchise. I've had some great teammates (and) some great coaches that have contributed to helping me get to 10,000 points. So, hopefully, I've got a lot more to go and a lot more games to win."

When Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla came to the podium, he said of Tatum's milestone achievement, "Outside of who he is as a person and the professionalism that he brings on a daily basis. He shows up to work every single day; he puts the work in, (and) he dedicates his life to it. He doesn't miss days; he doesn't miss practices (or) games, and just his open-mindedness in wanting to be coached and wanting to be held to a high standard.

Boston's bench boss added, "Because he's willing to be pushed to the ultimate limit, it allows us to do that to everybody, but I'm really proud of him, and I know he's not gonna stop, but it's good for him."

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Makes Celtics History, Boston at Its Best in Final Frame, Improves to 5-0 with Win vs. Nets

Joe Mazzulla Sheds Light on Key Area of Growth for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Offense and Their Mindset: 'That's How Most People Like to Play Basketball'

Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Danny Green

After Dominant Display vs. Wizards, Celtics Discuss Not Playing Down to Competition

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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