New York, Nov 5: In an impressive display of talent and perseverance, Jayson Tatum, the 25-year-old forward for the Boston Celtics, reached a career milestone by scoring his 10,000th point during the second quarter of the team’s 124-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.
Tatum’s achievement is historic, making him the youngest player in the illustrious history of the Boston Celtics to reach the 10,000-point mark. This record was previously held by Antoine Walker, who accomplished the feat at the age of 26.
Reflecting on his achievement, Tatum expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s kind of hard to process. In the moment, it’s a huge accomplishment. I’m extremely blessed to be part of such a great franchise. And I’ve just been fortunate to be on some really good teams, have some really, really good coaches, and obviously have some great teammates that have helped contribute to 10,000 points along the way.”
The significant moment occurred with just 5 minutes and 5 seconds left in the quarter when Tatum made a powerful drive into the lane, executed an elegant spin move, and converted the layup while drawing a foul from Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas. Tatum’s poise allowed him to sink the ensuing free throw, providing the Boston Celtics with a 52-48 lead.
Drafted as the third overall pick in 2017, Tatum has showcased his scoring prowess throughout this season, averaging an impressive 29.8 points per game. He concluded the game against the Nets with 32 points and 11 rebounds, contributing to Boston’s undefeated 5-0 start to the season.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla commended Tatum’s unwavering commitment to his craft, saying, “He shows up to work every single day. He puts in the work and dedicates his life to it. He doesn’t miss days. He doesn’t miss practices, games. And just his open-mindedness and wanting to be coached and wanting to be held to a high standard. When you have guys like that — that you can coach — it also allows you to bring the best out of everybody else, and so he’s one of the guys that sets the tone for us.”
Jayson Tatum’s accomplishment places him in the esteemed company of NBA legends, becoming the 10th player in league history to reach 10,000 career points before his 26th birthday. He joins the ranks of luminaries such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, Devin Booker, Bob McAdoo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Dwight Howard. (AP)
