The Boston Celtics extended their win streak to seven games and won again in Charlotte on Monday, as Jayson Tatum received MVP chants on the road in a game that was much closer than the final scoreline indicated.
The Celtics had numerous opportunities to blow the game open, but allowed the Hornets to make several runs to stay in touch. Boston led by as many as 16 points late in the third quarter, but Charlotte closed the gap to two points with 8:30 remaining.
Fortunately for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum delivered another signature performance, finishing with 51 points as he drained a flurry of 3-pointers in the closing minutes. Tatum took sole possession of a franchise record with his fifth career 50-point game, breaking the record of four games he shared with Larry Bird.
Here’s what fans and analysts had to say about Monday’s game:
That's tough, JT 💪
He has 40 PTS, 9 REB, and 5 AST as the Celtics lead by 7 with 3:45 to go.
📲 https://t.co/WjxYAo0Ivs pic.twitter.com/DcJf0jfJxJ
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023
MVP chants for Jayson Tatum just over 3 minutes into the game. Feel like that's gotta be a new record on the road. #Celtics
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) January 16, 2023
JAYSON TATUM 51 PIECE ‼️
HE DROPPED 18 PTS IN Q4 pic.twitter.com/dinmve9N8T
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023
Celtics playing down to a lesser opponent so Tatum can do the MVP thing in the fourth pic.twitter.com/tFqdiD5sUP
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) January 16, 2023
Jayson Tatum today:
51 PT
9 REB
5 AST
15-23 FG
7-12 3PThe most 50-point games ever for a Celtic. pic.twitter.com/8XJ2n91chO
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 16, 2023
Jayson Tatum is now the Celtics' all-time leader in regular-season 50-point games. (He's only 24)
Celtics' 50-point game leaders
1. Jayson Tatum – 5
2. Larry Bird – 4
3. 5 players with 1 pic.twitter.com/Vfk2ajPmyD— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 16, 2023
Larry Bird never had as many 50 point games as a Celtic as Jayson Tatum. What a wild sentence.
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) January 16, 2023
Standing ovation for Jayson Tatum, who has 51 points 🔥☘️ pic.twitter.com/G629HkygrC
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) January 16, 2023
Jayson Tatum’s impact this season:
Celtics are 10-0 when he records 30+ points and 5+ assists
Celtics are 8-0 when he records 30+ points and 10+ rebounds
Celtics are 6-1 when he scores 40+ points
Celtics are 14-3 when he shoots 50% from the floor
MVP
— Colin (@CM1661) January 16, 2023
