NEW YORK (AP) – Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum scored his 10,000th career point in the second quarter of Saturday’s 124-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Tatum, 25, is the youngest player in franchise history to score 10,000 points. The previous record holder was Antoine Walker, who was 26 years old.
“It’s kind of hard to process,” Tatum said. “Right now, it’s a huge achievement. I am extremely blessed to be a part of such a great franchise. And I’ve just been lucky enough to be on some really good teams. he’s got some really, really good coaches and obviously he’s got some great teammates who have contributed 10,000 points along the way.”
With 5:05 left in the quarter, Tatum drove to the lane, spun and converted the layup while drawing a foul on Brooklyn guard Cam Thomas. Tatum then knocked down the free throw to give Boston a 52-48 lead.
Tatum, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2017, is averaging 29.8 points per game this season. He finished the game with 32 points and 11 rebounds, one of five Celtics to finish in double figures for Boston, which improved to 5-0 this season.
“He shows up to work every day,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He puts in the work and dedicates his life to it. He doesn’t waste days. He doesn’t miss trainings, games. And just his open mind and wanting to coach and wanting to hold himself at a high level. When you have guys like that – that you can coach – it also allows you to get the best out of everybody else and so he’s one of the guys that sets the tone for us.”
Tatum is the 10th player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points before his 26th birthday, joining LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, Devin Booker, Bob McAdoo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Dwight Howard.