Jayson Tatum went toe to toe with Kevin Durant, dropped 54, and won

Some NBA stars are so good at such a young age that you forget precisely how young they are. When someone breaks the glass in your head, and you realize the truth, it’s mind-boggling. You reconsider all the possibilities for this guy who still might grow.

For a few years now, one of those dynamic stars has been the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum. If you’re not sitting down, I would advise remedying that: He’s only 24-years-old. Sunday afternoon against the Nets (+5 underdogs), against fellow automatic scorer but more accomplished Kevin Durant (37 points, eight assists), was a little Sunday stroll for Tatum.

Fifty four points. Fifty four points that essentially singlehandedly prevented the Nets, and Durant, from capturing a massive road win at TD Garden. It was the fourth 50+ point effort of Tatum’s young career, already matching the entire Hall of Fame ledger of one of the greatest Celtics ever.

Larry Bird played 12 seasons. Twelve. It’s Tatum’s fifth year in the NBA and here is outshooting Kevin Durant, while putting himself in the conversation of a phenomenal player many Celtics fans hope he can be. What else can he do?

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