Jason Tatum breaks Kobe Bryant’s playoff record as Celtics clinch 18th title

Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum has set a new record for the most career playoff points by a player aged 26 or younger. Tatum surpassed former NBA star Kobe Bryant’s record during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday (June 17).

Tatum now boasts 2,711 points in 113 playoff games, while Bryant had accumulated 2,694 points in 119 games before turning 26. Tatum’s 31-point performance in Boston’s record 18th title game helped him eclipse Bryant’s milestone.

LeBron James of the LA Lakers holds the third spot on the list with 2,578 points in 92 playoff games before the age of 26.

Drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, Tatum has reached the conference finals five times in his seven professional seasons, including two trips to the NBA Finals.

Tatum also holds the record for the most points scored in a Game 7, with 51 points in last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers.

After winning the title, Tatum expressed his elation: “It’s a surreal feeling. It still hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment. I kept saying, ‘Wow.’ These last seven years have been a roller coaster, with ups and downs. I had to listen to all the criticism, and tonight, it was worth it. Oh, my God.”

The game saw Boston start strong, scoring 28 points against Dallas’ 18 in the first quarter. The Celtics intensified their efforts in the second quarter, dropping 39 points compared to the Mavericks’ 28.

Although the Mavericks outscored Boston 21-19 in the third quarter and 21-20 in the fourth, the Celtics secured the game and the title with an 18-point lead, finishing with a score of 106-88.

Boston was favored to sweep the series after winning the first three games consecutively. However, the Mavericks halted their streak with a win in Game 4 before Boston clinched an iconic victory in Game 5 on their home court.