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 for Duke before being drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018 and won the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP in 2022. Tatum secured his first NBA championship with the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Sections (4)

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

1980: First Celtics rookie to score 25 or more points in a playoff game since Larry Bird

On April 30, Jayson Tatum had a then career-high 28 points during a 117–101 victory, becoming the first Celtics rookie to score 25 or more points in a playoff game since Larry Bird during the 1980 NBA playoffs, also against the 76ers.

1986: Bird and McHale's Record

In 1986, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale set a Celtics record, each scoring at least 30 points in the same game four times during the 1986-87 NBA season.

November 1989: Larry Bird's Milestone

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

1999: Youngest player ever to score at least 20 points in four straight playoff games surpassing Kobe Bryant

On May 3, after posting 21 points in a Game 2 108–103 victory, Jayson Tatum became the youngest player ever to score at least 20 points in four straight playoff games at the age of 20 years, 61 days, surpassing Kobe Bryant who accomplished that feat during the 1999 NBA playoffs at the age of 20 years, 272 days.

2002: Pierce's Performance

In 2002, Paul Pierce was the last Celtic to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in a game before Tatum matched the achievement in 2023.

2013: Named MCC Co-Player of the Year

In 2013, as a freshman, Jayson Tatum was named the 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, as a sophomore, Jayson Tatum averaged 26.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

2015: Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Circuit

In the summer of 2015, Jayson Tatum joined the St. Louis Eagles Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team on the highly competitive Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Circuit. On July 11, the Eagles narrowly defeated future Duke teammate Harry Giles and Team CP3 74–73 in the Nike Peach Jam Semi-Finals with a game-winning buzzer-beater to advance to the championship game, where Tatum finished the game with 28 points and five rebounds. The next day, he had 24 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks in a 104–77 loss to the Georgia Stars and future Duke one-and-done Wendell Carter Jr. in the 2015 Nike Peach Jam championship game. During the Circuit, Tatum led the EYBL in scoring with 26.5 points to go along with 9.5 rebounds per game.

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 at the United Center in Chicago, leading the East Team in scoring with 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds in a 114–107 loss.

2016: Led Chaminade to Missouri Class 5A state championship

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

2016: Ranked as No. 3 Overall Recruit

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

2016: Duke Freshman Season

In his freshman season for Duke in 2016–17, Jayson Tatum played 29 games and averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team and a third-team All-ACC selection.

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

December 22, 2019: Recorded 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: Scored Career-High 41 Points

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

2020: Tatum and LaVine's Achievement

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

2020: Named to the 2020 Olympic team

In 2020, Jayson Tatum was named to the 2020 Olympic team.

January 3, 2021: Career-High 12 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 narrow 122–120 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

2021: Won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics

In 2021, Jayson Tatum helped Team USA win the gold medal at the Olympics, averaging 15.2 points per game.

2021: Tatum Scores 50 in Play-in Game

In 2021, during the first game of the play-in tournament, Jayson Tatum scored 50 points, leading the Celtics to a 118–100 victory over the Washington Wizards and securing the #7-seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2021 NBA playoffs. Tatum set a record for most points in a single play-in tournament game.

November 30, 2022: Tatum's 49 Points and Three-Point Record

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

2022: Won Inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP

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

November 4, 2023: Tatum Reaches 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.

2023: Received signature Jordan Tatum 1 silhouette

In 2023, Jayson Tatum received his own signature silhouette, 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.

November 16, 2024: Game-winning shot against Raptors

On November 16, 2024, Jayson Tatum recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, and made 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 within a week of Matthew Tkachuk

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

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

In 2024, Jayson Tatum led the 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, which went on to win the gold medal in a rematch against France.

2024: Won First NBA Title

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

2024: Tatum Reaches NBA Finals and Triple Double

In 2024, Tatum lead his team to the NBA finals and had his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in Game 1 of the Celtics' first round playoff series against the Miami Heat.

2024: Tatum Wins NBA Championship

In 2024, Tatum won the NBA Championship. In Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on June 9, Tatum recorded a near triple-double with 18 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds in a 105–98 victory. Three days later in Game 3, he had 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 106–99 victory. The Celtics went on to win the series in five games, with Tatum recording 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds during the 106–88 close-out victory in Game 5 on June 17.

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, marking his sixth consecutive selection and his third consecutive selection as a starter.