On Saturday night, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Indiana Pacers (Indianapolis) in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics won 114-111 and took a 3-0 lead in the series.
All-Star forward Jayson Tatum led the team with 36 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks on 12-of-23 field goal shooting and 5-of-10 3-pointers in 44 minutes of playing time.
He also made his mark in NBA history.
Via Taylor Snow“Jayson Tatum is the first player in NBA history to record at least 36 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists while committing zero turnovers in a playoff game.”
Jayson Tatum is the first player in NBA history to record 36+ points, 10+ rebounds and 8+ assists while committing zero turnovers in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/jjYsonLVGb
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) May 26, 2024
Tatum is coming off an outstanding regular season in which he played in 74 games and averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range.
The Celtics are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and have the best record in the NBA (64-18).
They defeated the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Celtics starters scored 110 of the team’s 114 points. pic.twitter.com/yOti5wuRRU
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 26, 2024
Game 4 of the series will be played Monday night in Indiana.
The Celtics can finish the series with a sweep.
The team that wins this series will advance to the NBA Finals to face either the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Mavs are leading the Timberwolves 2-0 heading into Game 3 in Dallas on Sunday night.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA, May 25, 2024 – Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) celebrates with forward Jayson Tatum (0) after drawing a foul against the Indiana Pacers during the final minutes of the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Credit: Trevor Laskowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Laskowski-USA TODAY Sports
Tatum will be appearing in his fifth conference final in his first seven seasons.
