NBA Twitter reacts to Jayson Tatum’s 50-point game in Game 3 win over Nets

BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets during Game Three of the Eastern Conference first round series at TD Garden on May 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket past Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets during Game Three of the Eastern Conference first round series at TD Garden on May 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The NBA didn’t count Jayson Tatum’s 50-point play-in game as a playoff performance, so he did it again Friday night in Game 3.

Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum has four 50-point games in his career, but his latest on Friday night was easily the most impressive.

With his Celtics down 2-0 in their first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, Tatum went ballistic to ensure a victory in Boston. Finishing with 50 points is a tall task in any NBA game. In NBA history, only 27 guys have ever scored a 50-piece in a playoff game.

To do so against a starting lineup featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Blake Griffin and Joe Harris? Ridiculous.

Here’s what NBA Twitter had to say about Tatum’s latest scoring showcase.

https://twitter.com/taylorcsnow/status/1398469866605137920?s=20

NBA Twitter reacts to Tatum’s playoff performance

Life must feel pretty good when you hit 16-of-30 shots and go 13-for-15 from the free-throw line. As if scoring 50 points against a bunch of future Hall-of-Famers wasn’t enough, Tatum added 7 assists and 6 rebounds for good measure.

He had 40 points through three quarters alone. Talk about putting a team on your back.

Tatum joins an elite group of Boston Celtics to score 50-plus in a playoff game. The others? John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Ray Allen, Sam Jones and Isaiah Thomas.

According to NBC’s Chris Forsberg, Tatum now has four 50-point efforts in the past 49 days — two of which were after the regular season ended.

With Friday’s 125-119 win, the Celtics are now down 2-1 to the Nets. They’re going to need to be completely dialed in to get past a team as talented as Brooklyn. Surely, Boston can’t expect Tatum to score at this kind of pace for the rest of the series. Or can they?

Next. NBA Twitter erupts after Luka Doncic’s hot Game 3 start. dark