Celtics match ‘Showtime’ Lakers with historic NBA Finals stats in Game 3
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart just did something that hasn’t been done since the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s.
The trio each finished with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in Game 3 on Wednesday night, becoming the first three teammates to do so in the NBA Finals since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Michael Cooper did it for the Lakers, per ESPN Stats & Info. That 1984 series happened to be against the same Celtics, who went on to win the finals that year.
Tatum scored 26 points, dished out a game-high nine assists and corralled six rebounds. Brown led Boston in scoring with 27 points, adding five assists and nine rebounds of his own. Smart scored 24 points, he grabbed seven rebounds and ended with five assists.
“It was great,” Brown said of the Game 3 win. “Our team obviously is in a position to win some games and do something special. Coming out each and every night, putting our best foot forward is what we’ve got to do. When we win as a team, it feels even better. Tonight was a great team win for us.”
Tatum and Brown also became the first teammates under 25 to each score 1,000 points in a single postseason since 2014, per ESPN Stats & Info. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook accomplished the feat in 2012 and 2014 while on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tatum is averaging 26.3 points this postseason, while Brown is averaging 22.9.
The Celtics have a 2-1 lead against the Golden State Warriors heading into Game 4 in Boston on Friday. Tip off is at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, and you can hear the game on 98.5 the Sports Hub, starting with pregame coverage at 8:30.
PHOTOS: Celtics and Warriors do battle in Boston for Game 3 of NBA Finals
