Jayson Tatum delivered a stunning performance on Saturday night, leading the Boston Celtics to a resounding 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Boston forward dominated the game, scoring 43 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists—securing his third career triple-double. This game marked not only his personal achievement but also set historical significance for the Celtics franchise, as Tatum became the first player in team history to post at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Tatum’s relentless effort on the court avenged the Celtics' previous defeat to the Bulls just two days earlier, where Boston succumbed to Chicago with a close score of 117-108. The victory allowed the Celtics to improve their record to 22-6, securing their position as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, which they currently trail only behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The game had its twists and turns, especially as Tatum heated up significantly during the third quarter. After halftime, Boston was up by only seven points, but Tatum's offensive explosion, which included 18 points during this period, propelled the Celtics to establish control and take a 93-77 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
“It felt great to be able to lead my team to this win and show the resilience we have,” Tatum said post-game, receiving accolades for his pivotal role throughout the night. “I think we showed the real Celtics tonight.” His ability to score from several different areas of the court—including efficient shooting from three-point range—was noteworthy as he finished the game with 9-of-15 accuracy from beyond the arc.
Alongside Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis put forth a solid performance, contributing 22 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, which helped to maintain the Celtics' attacking momentum. Jaylen Brown also had his share of glory, finishing the night with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, rounding out the Celtics' trio of offensive stars.
The Bulls, who had entered the game riding the momentum of winning three straight, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting only 37.9% from the field. Chicago's Nikola Vucevic managed to post another double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but it was not enough to turn the tide. Zach LaVine, who had been instrumental during their last victory with 36 points, scored just 14 points this time around.
Meanwhile, during the course of the game, some moments of concern were logged on the officials’ side as referee Aaron Smith left the game with a reported hip injury. Despite this, the Celtics managed to exploit numerous second-chance opportunities, accumulating 25 second-chance points and dominating the boards with 58 rebounds compared to the Bulls’ 32.
Boston's performance was marked by their resilience and adaptability. Early on, they faced challenges but found their footing when it mattered most. After struggling with three-point shooting on Thursday, the Celtics decided to prioritize play inside, generating 62 points from the paint this game. This change proved strategic as they executed their game plans effectively against the Bulls' defense.
Following the game, Tatum received roaring applause not just from the loyal Celtics fans who made the trip to Chicago, but also from the general crowd, as he exited with over three minutes left on the clock. His performance had undoubtedly captured the imagination of many basketball fans present at the arena, including notable personalities such as singer Megan Thee Stallion, who was seated courtside and acknowledged by the audience.
Looking forward, the Celtics are scheduled to play against the Orlando Magic on Monday night, aiming to build on this momentum and assert their dominance as one of the league's leading teams. For the Bulls, the challenge remains to rectify their shooting woes as they prepare to host the Milwaukee Bucks next.
