Jayson Tatum emphatically posterized LeBron James during the Celtics’ clash with the Philadelphia 76ers, a moment that threw fans straight back to the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. Eight years later, we are still watching Tatum put James on a poster, and man, does it ever hit different.
The Poster Heard ‘Round the League
You know Tatum’s got skills for days. Coach Joe Mazzulla can pretty much slot his superstar anywhere on the court because the guy can pass, shoot, defend, and grab boards like it is nothing. But one thing that has not faded since his rookie year is that incredible athleticism, and it was on full display against the Sixers. We saw flashes of the 2018 ECF all over again. Talk about a full-circle moment!
This Sixers-Celtics game already had a ton of storylines bubbling. There is the supposed feud between Tatum and Jaylen Brown, plus the historical weight of this being the most-played matchup in league history. But let us be real: the competitive animosity between LeBron James and Tatum is what makes these games pop. That rivalry just hit a heated climax in the third quarter. The Celtics were up 62-51 at halftime, and James and the 76ers were clawing their way back. It was all about momentum, big swings, and even bigger moments. Tatum thrives in this stuff, Mazzulla practically begs him for these huge outbursts, and he delivered a dagger that no doubt gave James flashbacks.
Tatum’s All-Around Dominance
This was not just one highlight, though. Coach Mazzulla has seen Tatum absolutely cook, putting up 21 points by the end of the third quarter alone. He was shooting 47.05% from the field and a ridiculous 42.9% from three. Plus, he stacked up six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Yeah, the 76ers forced him into two turnovers, but come on, those were tiny compared to the monster contributions he was making. This guy was everywhere, making plays on both ends.
There is still a lot of basketball left to be played in this one between the 76ers and Celtics. But right now, it sure feels like Tatum has the upper hand. All he needs to do is keep that lead locked down and put this game to bed.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply