Jayson Tatum has scored more playoff points than any rookie since 1976

Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum has now scored more playoff points than any rookie in the NBA since the 1976 season, over 40 years ago.

Jayson Tatum has transcended the meaning of the word “rookie,” becoming the highest scorer of any rookie since 1976, according to HoopsHype.

Tatum was meant to be a key player in the Boston Celtics rotation since being drafted with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but his role went up another notch with the unexpected loss of Gordon Hayward to start the season and Kyrie Irving's season-ending surgery, which thrusted the need for another scorer.

The 20-year-old has posted 18.4 points per game through 17 starts in this postseason, making him an important piece of this Celtics team that has managed to impress throughout this playoff run, now a win away from the NBA Finals after a 96-83 Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tatum returned to his scoring ways on Wednesday night, putting up a team-high 24 points after scoring under 20 points throughout the entirety of the series.

The St. Louis native is shooting a robust 46.3 percent from the floor and 83.9 percent from the foul line, despite his 3-point shot taking a hit in this postseason at a mere 32.3 percent.

Tatum has scored 20 or more points in nine of his 17 playoff games, making him a likely contender to become a perennial scorer in this league after making the most of his opportunities this season.