Jayson Tatum has always idolized Kobe Bryant, and on Friday in Game 3 of the Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics series, he certainly made the late Black Mamba proud.
Despite expectations on the Nets taking a 3-0 lead against the struggling Celtics, Tatum took matters into his own hands to power the team to victory and steal a game against the Nets. It was Tatum all game long, as he finished with 50 points on an efficient 16-of-30 shooting from the field. He made five of his 11 three-point attempts while also recording six rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block.
With his incredible stat line, Tatum joined a very short list of players with at least 50 points, five rebounds, five assists and five triples in a playoff game. Kobe is on that list, alongside the likes of Vince Carter, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray.




Players with 50+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ threes in a playoff game:
— Kobe Bryant
— Vince Carter
— Damian Lillard
— Kevin Durant
— Donovan Mitchell
— Jamal Murray (2x)
— Jayson Tatum (tonight) pic.twitter.com/OxZH4wAxrw— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 29, 2021
Now that's certainly elite company for Jayson Tatum. Furthermore, any time a player is mentioned alongside the late, great Kobe Bryant in a record, that's got to be pretty special.
Hopefully for the Celtics, this is only the start of a big turnaround for the team as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive. After losing Games 1 and 2 in such poor fashion, a lot of people have counted them out. However after the big performance from the 23-year-old forward, Beantown is surely buzzing with renewed optimism.