Jayson Tatum sets a historic milestone and saves the Celtics in overtime

Jayson Tatum once again demonstrated that he is ready to regain his best form after the serious injury he suffered to his right Achilles tendon. The star of the Boston Celtics scored 40 points and decided the game against the Brooklyn Nets with a buzzer-beater in overtime, sealing his team's victory 125-124 on Tuesday. A spectacular performance that allowed the Celtics to record their third consecutive win, setting a new mark in the franchise's history.

Tatum made a jumper from about five meters as the overtime was coming to an end. The shot capped off a performance in which he made 10 of his 20 field goals and 18 of his 22 free throw attempts. His final basket was also the most important of the night, resolving a game that neither team managed to control for too long.

“It was an incredible feeling,” Tatum acknowledged when discussing the decisive basket. “It’s like going back to doing the things that, you know, I used to do before I got injured.”

Tatum returns to 40 points and enters Boston's history

The performance held special significance for Tatum, who had not reached 40 points since his return in March after suffering a tear in his right Achilles tendon. His display against Brooklyn signifies a renewed ability to produce at maximum level following that injury.

Moreover, the forward became the second player in Celtics history to score at least 40 points and make a buzzer-beater in the same game. According to Basketball Reference, only Larry Bird had achieved that combination previously, and he did it twice.

The night also allowed Tatum to equal another historical record for Boston. With this winning basket, he now has three game-winning buzzer-beaters in his career, the same number as Bill Sharman. Both sit in third place in the franchise's historical rankings, behind Paul Pierce, with six, and Bird, with four.

But Tatum's achievement is not limited to Celtics records. According to the cited data from Basketball Reference, he became the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points and make a buzzer-beater in a game played before November.

An overtime decided in the final seconds

The conclusion was particularly dramatic. The Nets had the chance to take the game during regulation time after rookie Mikel Brown Jr. hit a three-pointer that tied the score with only 0.2 seconds left.

The tie remained during an overtime where each possession acquired decisive importance. Brown, the sixth overall draft pick from Louisville, finished with 17 points but had a final opportunity to give Brooklyn the lead that he could not capitalize on.

With 2.3 seconds left in overtime, Brown missed a layup. That action left the Celtics the opportunity to set up a final play, with the score still open. Tatum took on the responsibility to resolve it and did not fail: his jumper went in at the buzzer to establish the final score of 125-124.

The loss prolongs Brooklyn's difficult start to the season. The Nets, who are still in search of their first win, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat and set a negative record for the franchise: it is the first time in their history that they start two consecutive seasons with a record of 0-4.

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The Celtics bounce back and notch their third consecutive win

Boston also had to overcome delicate moments before celebrating the victory. The Celtics found themselves trailing by five points, with a score of 109-104 after a basket by Julius Randle with 2 minutes and 57 seconds remaining in regulation time.

However, the team found a way to respond. With 33.7 seconds left, Derrick White appeared behind the defense and received a pass from Tatum to score a dunk that broke the tie. White was fouled during the action and converted the additional free throw, putting Boston up 114-111.

The Nets still had time to respond and force overtime, but the Celtics' ability to react was evident once again. Neither team managed to enjoy a lead greater than eight points, reflecting a very balanced game until the last possession.

The victory marks Boston's third consecutive win, as they have not lost since their opening game against Detroit when they squandered a 22-point lead.

Paul George and Derrick White support Tatum

Although the spotlight ultimately fell on Tatum, the Celtics also received significant contributions from other players. Paul George added 20 points, while Derrick White finished with 16 and played a prominent role in the closing moments of regulation time.

In Brooklyn, Michael Porter Jr. was one of the offensive leaders with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Randle contributed another 24 points, but his numbers were not enough to prevent another loss for the Nets.

Mitchell Robinson also played a significant role during a delicate moment for Boston. The player missed two free throws with three seconds left in regulation time, a circumstance that allowed Brooklyn to have one last opportunity to force a tie. Robinson, who has a career free throw percentage of 50.7%, finished with one of four in those attempts. So far this season, he has made two of eight attempts.

The Celtics also had to improve their perimeter performance after a first half that was not very successful. Boston converted only two of their 16 three-pointers before halftime, though they went into the break down by just five points, 61-56. After the restart, they raised their efficiency and hit nine of their 22 shots from long distance.

Notable statistics from the Celtics-Nets game

The dashes indicate unspecified statistics in the available information.

The victory leaves Boston with three consecutive wins and confirms the immediate impact that Tatum can have when he regains his best form. His performance of 40 points, capped off with a buzzer-beater, not only decided a fiercely contested game but also added a new chapter to his journey and the history of the Celtics.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jayson Tatum firma una barbaridad histórica y salva a los Celtics en la prórroga