Jayson Tatum's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jayson Tatum. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Jayson Tatum is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the NBA. He was a highly touted prospect, earning McDonald's All-American honors in high school before playing college basketball at Duke University. Tatum was drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017 and named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018. A key player for Boston, Tatum received the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP in 2022 and secured his first NBA championship in 2024.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1980: Larry Bird's Playoff Performance

In 1980, Larry Bird achieved a similar feat to Jayson Tatum in playoff performance.

1986: Bird and McHale's Record

In the 1986-87 NBA season, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale recorded four games where each scored at least 30 points, tying a Celtics record.

November 1989: Bird's Milestone

In November 1989, Larry Bird achieved a milestone by scoring 50+ points and grabbing 10+ rebounds for the Celtics.

1997: Start of NBA Play-By-Play Era

In 1997, the NBA's play-by-play era began. February 28, 2025, Tatum recorded season-highs with 46 points and 16 rebounds along with nine assists and three blocks in a 123–116 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the opening 24 minutes, the first player ever to reach those totals in a half during the play-by-play era (1997–98).

1999: Kobe Bryant's Playoff Record

In 1999, Kobe Bryant achieved a playoff record that Jayson Tatum later surpassed.

2002: Paul Pierce's Milestone Game

In 2002, Paul Pierce recorded a game with 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, a feat that Jayson Tatum would later match.

2013: MCC Co-Player of the Year

In 2013, as a freshman, Jayson Tatum averaged 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and was named 2013 Metro Catholic Conference (MCC) Co-Player of the Year, leading the Red Devils to both MCC and Missouri District 2 crowns.

2015: FIBA Under-19 World Championship

In 2015, Jayson Tatum participated in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship and was named to the Eurobasket.com All-World Championship U19 Second Team.

March 30, 2016: McDonald's All-American Game Selection

On March 30, 2016, Jayson Tatum was selected to the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game, leading the East Team in scoring with 18 points.

2016: Missouri Class 5A State Championship

In 2015-2016, Jayson Tatum's senior year, he led Chaminade to its second Missouri Class 5A state championship. Highlights included a 40-point, 17-rebound game against Bentonville High School.

December 2017: Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month

Jayson Tatum was named the Eastern Conference's Rookie of the Month for December 2017.

May 22, 2018: NBA All-Rookie Team Selection

On May 22, 2018, Jayson Tatum was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team (First Team).

2018: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In the 2018 season, Jayson Tatum was voted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

December 22, 2019: Career-High 39 Points

On December 22, 2019, Jayson Tatum recorded a then career-high 39 points, along with 12 rebounds, in a 119–93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

January 11, 2020: Career-High 41 Points

On January 11, 2020, Jayson Tatum scored a then career-high 41 points against the New Orleans Pelicans in a 140–105 victory.

2020: Tatum and LaVine's Scoring Feat

In 2020, Jayson Tatum and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls became the second pair of players in the 2020-21 season to score 50+ points on the same day.

2020: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Jayson Tatum won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.

January 3, 2021: Career-High Assists and Game-Winning Shot

On January 3, 2021, Jayson Tatum had 24 points and a career-high 12 assists and made another game-winning shot in a victory over the Detroit Pistons.

2021: Olympic Gold Medal Win

In 2021, Jayson Tatum helped Team USA win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He averaged 15.2 points and was the second-highest scorer on the team, behind Kevin Durant.

2021: 50-Point Game in Play-in Tournament

In 2021, Jayson Tatum scored 50 points in the play-in tournament game against the Washington Wizards, securing the Celtics' spot as the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Tatum also set the record for most points in a single play-in tournament game.

January 23, 2022: Season-High 51 Points Against Wizards

On January 23, 2022, Jayson Tatum scored a season-high 51 points along with 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high nine three-pointers in a victory over the Washington Wizards.

November 30, 2022: 49 Points, 11 Rebounds, and 900 Three-Pointers

On November 30, 2022, Jayson Tatum recorded 49 points and 11 rebounds, making eight three-pointers in a victory over the Miami Heat. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to make 900 three-pointers.

2022: NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP

In 2022, Jayson Tatum won the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference finals MVP.

November 4, 2023: Youngest Celtic to Reach 10,000 Career Points

On November 4, 2023, Jayson Tatum recorded 32 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets and became the youngest Celtic to reach 10,000 career points at 25 years and 246 days of age.

January 25, 2024: All-Star Selection

On January 25, 2024, Jayson Tatum was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his fifth consecutive selection and his second selection in a row as a starter.

February 13, 2024: 41 Points Against the Nets

On February 13, 2024, Tatum scored 41 points, with 31 in the first half, along with 14 rebounds and five assists in a victory against the Brooklyn Nets. He also joined Larry Bird as the only Celtics players to record at least 25 40-point games.

November 16, 2024: Game-Winning Shot Against Raptors

On November 16, 2024, Jayson Tatum recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in a 126–123 overtime win against the Toronto Raptors. He also made a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer to secure the victory.

2024: NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2024, Jayson Tatum led his team to a league-best 64 wins and a championship in the NBA Finals. He also won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.

2024: Named to Olympic Team and Gold Medal Win

In 2024, Jayson Tatum was named to the Olympic team. Team USA would go on to win the gold medal in a rematch against France.

2024: NBA Championship

In 2024, Jayson Tatum won his first NBA title in the NBA Finals.

2024: First Playoff Triple-Double and NBA Finals Appearance

In 2024, during Game 1 against the Miami Heat, Tatum achieved his first career playoff triple-double and led the Celtics to the NBA finals. He became the sixth player in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds, and assists while reaching the NBA Finals.

2024: NBA Finals Victory

In the 2024 NBA Finals, Tatum and Jaylen Brown achieved milestones, leading the Celtics to victory in five games. Tatum led the Celtics in points, rebounds, and assists throughout the NBA Finals and became the sixth player to lead his team in all three categories during a championship run.

January 25, 2025: Named Eastern Conference All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2025, Jayson Tatum was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. This marked his sixth consecutive All-Star selection and his third consecutive selection as a starter.