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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Player of the game: Who do you think?

By Alex Barth
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Throughout the Celtics’ playoffs, we’ve been naming a ‘Player of the Game’ after each game, win or lose. Some have been easy to figure out, others have been closer. Some have come down to votes in the Sports Hub writers’ group chat.

Sunday? The answer came with no hesitation.

  • Not only was Jayson Tatum the star of the Celtics’ 112-88 win over the 76ers in Sunday’s Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7, but he played the role in a historic way. With his team’s season on the line, Tatum delivered arguably the single greatest Game 7 performance in NBA history.

    Tatum put up 51 points on Sunday, the most by any player in a Game 7 in NBA history. He did so with a slightly-altered approach, seeming to focus more on attacking the basket than shooting threes. In 42 minutes he shot 17-of-28 from the floor and 6-of-10 from three. His 13 rebounds also added up to the first ever 50-10 double-double in Celtics playoff history. In addition, he became the first player in NBA playoff history to score 50-plus points without committing a turnover.

    Keep scrolling for highlights of Tatum’s historic performance…

  • BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates as he is taken out against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates as he is taken out against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

  • 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].

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