Jayson Tatum makes Celtics history with career-high 53 points (Video)

Jayson Tatum made Boston Celtics history with a new career high.

Jayson Tatum wasn’t the only 50-point game in the NBA on Friday night, but the young star made Boston Celtics history nevertheless.

In a 145-136 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tatum was sensational for the Celtics at home, finishing his night with a career-high 53 points, 35 of which came in the second half and OT.

And at just 23 years old, he became the youngest player in Celtics history to record a 50-point game. Those 53 points were also the most in franchise history since Larry Bird dropped a franchise-record 60 points back in 1985.

Zach LaVine was the other 50-point scorer in the association on Friday night, dropping exactly 50 in a loss against the Atlanta Hawks after a scintillating 39-point first half.

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Jayson Tatum dropped a new career high for the Celtics

Shooting 16-for-25 from the field, 6-for-10 from 3-point range and 15-for-16 from the free-throw line, Tatum was unstoppable in all three facets on offense. As if that weren’t enough, he also chipped in 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block in his 41 minutes of game time.

According to Celtics Stats, Tatum is also the first Celtic to drop 50-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a single game since Larry Bird did it back in 1989.

More importantly, the win moved Boston back above .500 territory, with its 27-26 record keeping the Cs a full game ahead of the New York Knicks for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks beat the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime as well on Friday.

Tatum and the Celtics have been criticized this season for a lackluster campaign coming off their trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, but if their young superstar keeps playing like this, it might not be long before Boston is surging up the standings again.