The Celtics wrapped up their mini-series with the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, coming away with a 130-118 win in the MLK Day matinee game. Just like in the first game – a 122-106 Celtics win on Saturday – the story of this one was Jayson Tatum.

Tatum followed up his 33-point, nine rebound, six assist performance on Saturday with a season-high 51 points on Monday. He shot 15-of-23 from the floor and 7-of-12 from deep, while hitting all 14 of the free throws he attempted.

With that performance, Tatum also set another Celtics record. It was his fifth career regular season 50-point game, breaking a tie with Larry Bird for the most such games in Celtics history. No other player has reached 50 points in a game more than once with the Celtics. Including playoffs, Tatum now has seven such games (Bird had none in the postseason).

• Jayson Tatum is now the Celtics' all-time leader in regular-season 50-point games. (He's only 24)
  
  Celtics' 50-point game leaders
  1. Jayson Tatum – 5
  2. Larry Bird – 4
  3. 5 players with 1 pic.twitter.com/Vfk2ajPmyD

  — Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 16, 2023

• “It’s been a while since I scored 50, so I needed that one,” Tatum said after the game.

  In addition to his 51 points, Tatum added nine rebounds and five assists. His plus-15 rating was the best of any player in the game.

  In addition to Tatum, Derrick White had a big game for the Celtics after leaving Saturday’s game early with a neck injury. White returned to the floor to score 19 points and dish eight assists. Off the bench, Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points hitting four of his eight three point attempts. He scored 46 points combined in these two games against the Hornets.

• Malcolm Brogdon hasn't missed a beat since Saturday's 30 point performance. He's got 16 so far 🎯
  
  Watch: https://t.co/uSr28gG7oX pic.twitter.com/rAs2qVaXm1

  — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 16, 2023

• With the win, the Celtics extend their current winning streak to seven games and are now 33-12 on the season. That’s good for a 4.5 game lead on the Brooklyn Nets for first place in the Eastern Conference.

  Up next for the Celtics in another NBA Finals rematch, with the Golden State Warriors coming to Boston on Thursday night. The Celtics already faced the Warriors once this year, falling 123-107 in San Francisco back in mid-December. Thursday night’s game tips off at 7:30 p.m., with coverage beginning at 7:00 on 105.7 WROR and the Celtics Radio Network.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

Sign me up for the 98.5 The Sports Hub email newsletter!

Get the latest Boston sports news and analysis, plus exclusive on-demand content and special giveaways from Boston's Home for Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub.

First Name *

Last Name

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.