Jayson Tatum matches Larry Bird’s record in the Boston Celtics’ win against the Chicago Bulls
Jayson Tatum matched a record set by Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as the Celtics cruised to a comfortable 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
The 26-year-old hit his third career triple-double with 43 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists as the defending NBA champions moved into second place in the Eastern Conference.
It’s the first time a Celtics player has hit a 40-point triple double since Bird, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner, first did it against Portland in 1992.
“Larry Bird is probably the greatest player to ever wear this uniform,” Tatum said.
“So any time you do something in the same sentence as him, it’s something special, even if you never reach that peak.”
LeBron James scored 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 103-99.
Trailing 101-99 with 12 seconds left, the Kings had a chance to tie the game when LA’s Anthony Davis missed two free throws.
But the Kings couldn’t secure the rebound and fouled Austin Reaves in the process, allowing the 26-year-old guard to close out the win with two free throws.
Elsewhere, the Miami Heat blew a 22-point lead in the final quarter and lost 121-114 to the Orlando Magic, while Steph Curry scored 31 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 113-103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.