Inside The Celtics

Jayson Tatum on Verge of Reaching Rarified Air in Celtics History

Bobby Krivitsky

Feb 27, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) goes in for a dunk as Philadelphia 76ers forward Darius Bazley (25) and guard Ricky Council IV (16) look on during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) goes in for a dunk as Philadelphia 76ers forward Darius Bazley (25) and guard Ricky Council IV (16) look on during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images / Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
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In the playoffs, Jayson Tatum produced 25 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, leading the Celtics in each category. He did the same in the Finals, registering 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists to capture his first NBA championship.

He became the sixth player in league history to win an NBA title while leading his team in postseason scoring, rebounding, and assists. He joins Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

As a 26-year-old star entering the peak of his powers at a time when he and Jaylen Brown are leading a title team that's remained nearly entirely intact and still boasts the most talented top eight in the league from this vantage point, Tatum has a prime opportunity to continue elevating his place among the Celtics' best players.

Along the way this season, he's on pace to move into the top 10 among Boston's all-time leading scorers.

The three-time All-NBA First Team selection has 11,852 career points, ranking 13th in franchise history. Last regular season, he totaled 1987, the eighth-most in the Association.

Tatum only needs 1336, which would've ranked 50th last regular season, to surpass Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion Jo Jo White, who ranks 10th with 13,188 points.

Interestingly enough, if he matched Luka Doncic's league-leading output of 2,370 total points last regular season, it would give Tatum 14,222 but only move him up one more spot among the Celtics' top scorers in franchise history. Dave Cowens is ninth with 13,192 points. Bill Russell is eighth with 14,522.

While Tatum has his sights set on lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the second straight year, moving into the top 10 in total points for the team with more NBA titles than any other, joining a group exclusively comprised of Basketball Hall of Famers and climbing past two more in Tommy Heinsohn (12,194 points) and Bill Sharman (12,287) to get there is a milestone and legacy enhancing achievement the five-time All-Star is poised to accomplish in the upcoming campaign.

Further Reading

Celtics Rookie Scheierman Following Path of Elite Quarterbacks

Byproduct of New CBA Threatens Jordan Walsh's Roster Spot with Celtics

Lonnie Walker IV Delivers Motivated Message about Joining Celtics

Jayson Tatum Shares Warning to Celtics at Championship Ring Fitting

Evaluating Oshae Brissett's Best Options in Free Agency

Top 5 Games on Celtics' 2024-25 Schedule

Brad Stevens Shares Encouraging Rehab Update on Kristaps Porzingis

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About 'Challenging and Humbling' Olympic Experience

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

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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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