Jayson Tatum drops 54 to lead Celtics to win over Nets

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum \ Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Tatum drops 54 points to lead Celtics to a win over the Nets

By Adam Stites | Last updated 3/6/22

Jayson Tatum led the way for the Boston Celtics with a season-high 54 points to beat the Brooklyn Nets, 126-120, in a nationally televised battle of Eastern Conference contenders Sunday.

It was a season-high for Tatum and the second-best game of his career, behind only a 60-point scoring performance he had against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2020-21 season. It was the fourth 50-point game of Tatum's career, tying him with Larry Bird for the Celtics' franchise record.

HE CANNOT BE STOPPED pic.twitter.com/lALBYwq2sb
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2022

Brooklyn had both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the floor together for only the fourth time this season and the first time since Jan. 12.

Durant scored 37 points in the loss with eight assists and six rebounds, while Irving scored 19 with six assists and four rebounds. It was a fourth consecutive loss for the Nets, dropping the team to 3-17 in its last 20 games. Brooklyn now sits ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 32-33 and is below .500 for the first time since opening the season 2-3.

The Celtics are trending in the opposite direction with 14 wins in their last 16. At 39-27, the Celtics are a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls for third place.

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