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          Jayson Tatum's 51-point game stirs up reactions from the sports world

          • ESPN.com
          May 14, 2023, 06:07 PM ET

          Jayson Tatum had a Game 7 for the ages.

          In the Boston Celtics' 112-88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Tatum absolutely took over, scoring 51 points on 17-of-28 shooting and adding 13 rebounds and five assists. Tatum particularly turned things on in the third quarter, dropping 17 points while the Sixers could only manage 10 as a team.

          Tatum's game was incredible even by the postseason standards of the Celtics. It's the most points anyone has ever scored in a Game 7, passing Stephen Curry (50). Tatum is only the fourth Celtics player in playoff history with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game, joining Paul Pierce, John Havlicek and one Larry Bird. Tatum is the only Celtics player to put up that line in a potential elimination game, and also the only one to do it with 50 points or more. He's also only the fifth player in NBA playoff history to have at least 50 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, joining Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook, Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.

          The Celtics will now face Jimmy Butler (in full "Playoff Jimmy" mode) and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.

          Stars across the sports world were in awe of Tatum on social media.