Jayson Tatum Joins Larry Bird With Historic Triple-Double Vs. Heat
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Jayson Tatum makes Boston Celtics history on a near-nightly basis, it seems, and he did it again on Wednesday against the Miami Heat.
After scoring 58 points in his previous two games combined, Tatum stayed hot with another huge game in Miami on Wednesday. He recorded his first triple-double of the season and the fifth of his career, putting up 25 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists in the Celtics' 147-129 road win.
The 18 rebounds were one shy of Tatum's career high. The reigning NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week also joined Larry Bird as the only other player in Boston history to post those types of numbers in a triple-double.
"It's an honor any time you're mentioned with the all-time greats," Tatum told ESPN's Doris Burke after the game. "It means I’m doing something right. So, I’m trying."
Jayson Tatum to Doris Burke on his 25-point, 18-rebound, 11-assist triple-double — the only other Celtic with that kind of triple-double is Larry Bird:
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) April 2, 2026
“It means I’m doing something right. So, I’m trying.”
🎥: ESPN pic.twitter.com/3RKf4FQS8r
While Jaylen Brown carried the scoring load for the Celtics with 43 points, including 20 in the first quarter, Tatum let the game come to him rather than trying to do too much or force things. He stayed patient, facilitated on offense and attacked the glass, making the right plays to help Boston win.
"Just did a great job rebounding, drawing two-on-ones there," Joe Mazzulla said during his postgame press conference. "It’s going after the game, going to make things happen, which I think he's done a great job of since he's been back, and then the game found him and he took advantage of those opportunities."
Mazzulla also called Tatum's performance "a well-balanced attack by him on both ends of the floor."
That's three straight games with at least 25 points for Tatum, who's looked more like himself over the last week. He appears to be hitting his stride and settling in after a shaky stretch following his return from an Achilles injury.
If he keeps playing like this in the postseason, the Celtics are going to be tough to beat.
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