Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Made NBA History In 76ers Game

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shows off his jersey before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

On Saturday afternoon, the Boston Celtics are playing the Philadelphia 76ers (at home) for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

The Celtics got off to a strong start, leading by a score of 64-46 at halftime.

Jayson Tatum had 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals while shooting 7/11 from the field and 1/4 from three-point range in his first 19 minutes of playing time.

Boston Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Made NBA History

UPDATE: The Celtics won by a score of 123-91. 

Tatum also made NBA history during the first half.

Real App wrote: “Jayson Tatum has passed Kobe Bryant in all-time threes made in the playoffs.”

Real App

@realapp · Follow

Jayson Tatum has passed Kobe Bryant in all-time threes made in the playoffs.

2:02 pm · 19 Apr 2026

230 Reply Copy link Read 5 replies

Tatum will also have a chance to make more history.

Underdog wrote: “All-time leaders in 3-pointers made in the NBA Playoffs 10. J.R. Smith (294) 11. Jayson Tatum (293) 12. Kobe Bryant (292) Jayson has the chance to make the top 10 today”

Underdog

@Underdog · Follow

All-time leaders in 3-pointers made in the NBA Playoffs

10. J.R. Smith (294) 11. Jayson Tatum (293) 12. Kobe Bryant (292)

Jayson has the chance to make the top 10 today 📈

2:22 pm · 19 Apr 2026

34 Reply Copy link Read 6 replies

Tatum’s Remarkable Season

Tatum had missed most of the year before returning last month.

He finished the regular season with averages of 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 41.1% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range in 16 games.

So far, the future Hall of Famer has looked like himself (despite the serious injury).

ESPN Insights wrote: “Boston’s offense is feeling good early against Philly. In the 1st quarter, the Celtics were a perfect 10-10 off passes, often taking advantage of the easy looks created… shooting 9-10 on open FGA. They were led by Jayson Tatum, who scored or assisted on 19 1st quarter points, accounting for more than the 76ers had as a team.”

Tatum was the third pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Duke.

He is in his ninth season (all with the Celtics).

Celtics Right Now

The Celtics are the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 record.

They are 30-11 in 41 games at home.

After winning the 2024 title, the Celtics are coming off a year where they lost to Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Following Sunday’s game, the teams will play Game 2 (also in Boston) on Tuesday night.

Games 3 and 4 will be at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.