Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum Gets Back on Track in Win Over Cleveland Cavaliers

After a tough couple of starts, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum got back on track in a tightly contested showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night. The four-time All-Star piled up 41 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in a 117-113 win.

We bounced back against the Cavs tonight behind Jayson Tatum’s 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. pic.twitter.com/dQkDBN1YaR
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 2, 2023

After hitting only 13 of his 35 field goal attempts for 32 total points over his previous two matchups, Tatum hit 13 of 21 field goal attempts last night, including four of six from three. He remains one of the NBA's most reliable young scorers: he's averaging 30.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game over 59 appearances this season. His durability is an underrated asset; his 1789 total points lead the NBA.

The Celtics are 45-18 and only a half-game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Tatum's levelling up yet again after a Finals appearance following the 2021-22 season is a big reason why; his points, rebounds, and assists per game are all career highs, as is his .605 true shooting percentage. Already one of the NBA's very best players, Tatum is still only 24 years old; he has plenty of room to grow. If he and Jaylen Brown (26 years old, 26.3 ppg) continue on their remarkable trajectory, the Celtics should be contenders for years to come.

The Celtics will be back in action Friday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets.