Inside The Celtics

Jayson Tatum Shares the Keys to His 41-Point Performance in Celtics Win vs. Cavaliers

Tatum's 41-point performance marks the ninth time he's scored at least 40 this season, the fifth-most such games in the NBA.

Bobby Krivitsky

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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The Celtics delivered a haymaker in the third quarter of their 117-113 victory over the Cavaliers, putting 41 points on the board while limiting Cleveland to 26.

Jayson Tatum led that charge, registering 18 of his team-high 41 points in the third frame. That included engineering a 13-2 run, burying a step-back three from the left wing, producing multiple layups, tipping in one he missed, and finding Al Horford for a left-corner three on a drive-and-kick that helped Boston build a lead that grew as large as 21.

The four-time All-Star's night began quietly, scoring two points and taking no free throws in the first 12 minutes.

But in the second quarter, starting with a thunderous put-back jam, he generated 15 on 5/6 shooting. His aggressive approach also led to him tacking on five points from the stripe on six free-throw attempts.

Then came the dominant third quarter that positioned the Celtics for their first win over the Cavaliers this season after dropping their first two tilts against Cleveland in overtime.

Tatum's 41-point performance represents the ninth time he's registered at least 40 this season, the fifth-most such games in the NBA. It's also his 34th with at least 30 points, the most by a Celtics player in a season since Larry Bird in 1987-88.

After the game, he conveyed the keys that sparked his scoring.

"Really got to the free-throw line tonight, and I just got some easy ones early, right?" expressed Tatum. "Easy ones early; layup in transition, getting downhill, finishing at the basket, just kind of opens things up.

"It wasn't like I was discouraged or worried because I hadn't shot the ball that great out the break. Just came out here with the mindset (of) trying to find the way to win."

Further Reading

Joe Mazzulla Discusses How Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Set the Tone for the Celtics in Win Over Cavaliers

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Cavaliers: Jayson Tatum's 41-Point Performance Propels Boston to Bounce-Back Victory

A Top Celtics Free-Agent Target Signs Elsewhere, Where Does Boston Go from Here?

Former Celtic Defends Jayson Tatum After His First-Career Ejection

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Game-Winning Shot vs. Sixers, Including His Message to the Celtics in the Preceding Timeout

Film Room: How the Celtics Defend Joel Embiid

Jayson Tatum Unveils Jordan Tatum 1's

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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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