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 for the Boston Celtics. A McDonald's All-American in high school, he played college basketball at Duke before being drafted third overall by the Celtics in the 2017 NBA draft. Tatum was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018. In 2022, he earned the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP award and won his first NBA Championship in the 2024 NBA Finals.

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

1986: Bird and McHale Same-Game Scoring Record

In the 1986-87 NBA season, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale recorded four games where each scored at least 30 points, showcasing their scoring dominance as a Celtics duo.

November 1989: Bird Scores 50+ points and 10+ rebounds

In November 1989, Larry Bird achieved a milestone by scoring 50 or more points and securing 10 or more rebounds in a single game, marking a significant moment in Celtics history.

2002: Paul Pierce's 30/15/5 Game

In 2002, Paul Pierce recorded a game with 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ assists, a feat that Jayson Tatum matched later in his career.

2007: Celtics Last Top Seed Season

The 2007-08 season marked the last time the Boston Celtics finished the regular season with the NBA's top seed and home-court advantage throughout the postseason before Tatum's era.

2013: Named 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.

2014: Averaged 26.0 Points and 11.0 Rebounds as a Sophomore

In 2014, during his sophomore year, Jayson Tatum averaged 26.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

2015: Averaged 29.6 Points and 9.1 Rebounds as a Senior

As a senior in 2015–16, Tatum averaged 29.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.

2015: Played in the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship

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

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

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: Led Chaminade to State Championship

In 2015-2016 as a senior, Jayson Tatum led Chaminade to its second Missouri Class 5A state championship.

2016: Rated as a Top Recruit

In 2016, Jayson Tatum was rated a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 3 overall recruit.

December 2017: Named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month

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

May 22, 2018: Named to NBA All-Rookie Team

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

2018: Named to 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 Against Pelicans

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

December 23, 2020: Season-Opening Victory with Game-Winning Shot

On December 23, 2020, Jayson Tatum totaled 30 points and seven rebounds, alongside a game-winning three-pointer, during the narrow season-opening 122–121 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

2020: Won Olympic Gold Medal

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

2020: Tatum and LaVine Score 50+ Points on the Same Day

In the 2020-21 NBA season, Jayson Tatum and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls both scored over 50 points on the same day, becoming the second pair of players to achieve this feat during the season.

January 3, 2021: Career-High 12 Assists

On January 3, 2021, Jayson Tatum had 24 points and a career-high 12 assists and made another game-winning shot in a narrow 122–120 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

2021: Won Gold Medal at the 2021 Olympics

In 2021, Jayson Tatum helped Team USA win the gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo, averaging 15.2 points per game and being the second highest scorer on the team to Kevin Durant.

2021: Tatum Scores 50 Points in Play-In Tournament

On May 18, 2021, Jayson Tatum scored 50 points in the play-in tournament game against the Washington Wizards, leading the Celtics to a 118-100 victory and securing the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2021 NBA playoffs.

January 23, 2022: Tatum Scores Season-High 51 Points

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, contributing to a dominant 116–87 victory over the Washington Wizards.

November 30, 2022: Tatum Becomes Youngest to Make 900 Three-Pointers

On November 30, 2022, Jayson Tatum scored 49 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, making eight three-pointers in a 134–121 victory against the Miami Heat. He became the youngest player in NBA history to make 900 three-pointers at 24 years old.

2022: Tatum Leads Celtics to NBA Finals

In 2022, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, marking a significant achievement in his career and for the team.

2022: Won Inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP

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

January 5, 2023: Tatum Records Second Career Triple-Double

On January 5, 2023, Jayson Tatum achieved his second career triple-double with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 124–95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

November 4, 2023: Tatum Reaches 10,000 Career Points

On November 4, 2023, Jayson Tatum scored 32 points and secured 11 rebounds in a 124–114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the youngest Celtic to reach 10,000 career points at 25 years and 246 days old.

2023: Received his own signature silhouette, the Jordan Tatum 1

In 2023, Jayson Tatum received his own signature silhouette with the Jordan Brand, called the Jordan Tatum 1.

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January 25, 2024: Tatum Named All-Star Starter

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 as a starter.

July 2024: Named cover athlete for NBA 2K25

In July 2024, Jayson Tatum was named the cover athlete for the video game NBA 2K25.

November 16, 2024: Game-winning shot against the Toronto Raptors

On November 16, 2024, Jayson Tatum recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, capping it off with a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer in a 126–123 overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors.

2024: Won NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals in the same week as Matthew Tkachuk

In 2024, Jayson Tatum and his high school friend, Matthew Tkachuk, won their respective championship series (the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals) within a week of each other.

2024: Tatum Reaches NBA Finals, Leads Team in Key Stats

In 2024, Jayson Tatum led his team in points, rebounds, and assists while reaching the NBA Finals, becoming the sixth player in NBA history to achieve this feat.

2024: Led Celtics to League-Best Record and NBA Finals Championship

In 2024, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a league-best 64 wins and a championship in the NBA Finals.

2024: Named to the 2024 Olympic team

In 2024, Jayson Tatum was named to the 2024 Olympic team, winning the gold medal in a rematch against France. He averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

2024: Won First NBA Title

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

2024: Tatum Leads Celtics to NBA Championship

In the 2024 NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to victory, recording 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in the decisive Game 5, marking a significant achievement in his career.

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 selection and his third consecutive selection as a starter.

March 6, 2026: 2025-26 Season Debut After Achilles Rupture

On March 6, 2026, Jayson Tatum made his 2025–26 season debut against the Dallas Mavericks after recovering from an Achilles rupture. He recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in the 120–100 win.