Jayson Tatum was on fire in the first half of Game 6 against the Heat on Saturday. The Celtics star dropped a game-high 25 points in the half, helping Boston hold onto a four-point lead through the first two quarters.
Tatum is looking to keep the Celtics’ season alive. A win on Saturday would see the Eastern Conference finals evened up at three wins apiece and force a Game 7 in Boston.
His 25 points came on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, and he added 11 points on 11 attempts from the free throw line. It’s the fifth time this postseason that Tatum has scored 25 or more points in a half, which according to ESPN, puts him behind only LeBron James (2018) for the most such halves in a single postseason in NBA history.
Jayson Tatum recorded his 5th 25-point half of the playoffs. Only LeBron James in 2018 has more in a single playoffs over the last 25 seasons. pic.twitter.com/HqUhWPputG
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 28, 2023
In such a critical game, Tatum’s first-half didn’t disappoint, and fans and media on Twitter were in awe over his performance.
Jayson Tatum in elimination games pic.twitter.com/EDsEWr8kVi
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) May 28, 2023
Jayson Tatum right now pic.twitter.com/kpPebTXXpN
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 28, 2023
I hoop like Tatum for real
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) May 28, 2023
You are witnessing greatness in Jayson Tatum form, ladies and gentlemen.
— Taco Jay’s Tacos ☘️ (@KryntNBA) May 28, 2023
jayson tatum this game: pic.twitter.com/x6UvW29NFF
— tiago (@tiagofernandsh) May 28, 2023
Jayson Tatum tonight pic.twitter.com/RStLoM4qOC
— ONK SZN ☘️(57-25) (@itsrhamondre) May 28, 2023
Jayson Tatum is now the second Celtics player with 500 points in multiple playoffs, joining Larry Bird 🍀 pic.twitter.com/dHXcMl4XFU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 28, 2023
Jayson Tatum, 25-point first halves this season:
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) May 28, 2023
Regular season, 2
Playoffs, 3
Jayson Tatum right now pic.twitter.com/aPByLbdnUy
— Overtime (@overtime) May 28, 2023
Jayson Tatum is one of them ones
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) May 28, 2023