While it might not have resulted in a win this time, Boston Celtics nascent superstar Jayson Tatum went off for 41 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in a 114-112 loss Feb 23.
If not for 29 points from L.A.’s LeBron James, the Duke product very well may have willed Boston to the road win and their ninth in ten games.
The explosive second and third quarters saw Tatum seem to score at will on anyone in his way, his elite reach and touch helping him find the bottom of the net effortlessly.
But longtime Celtics’ nemesis James and teammate Anthony Davis won a contest that effectively came down to a technical foul against Boston head coach Brad Stevens and a clutch James jumper, and as much veteran savvy as physical skill.
While Celtics fans would obviously prefer to have gotten the win, the show these two teams put on hearkened back to the glory days of both franchises, and signaled a new era of greatness to come for each.
And for Boston, Tatum’s increasingly incredulous performances are making it clear that a Celtics team at full health may be as good as any in the league.
