Jayson Tatum tied a record set by Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as the Celtics earned a comfortable 123-98 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
The 26-year-old recorded the third triple-double of his career with 43 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists as the defending NBA champions finished second in the Eastern Conference.
It marks 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 so against Portland in 1992.
“Larry Bird is probably the best player to ever wear this uniform,” Tatum said.
“So every time you achieve something in the same sense as him, it’s something special, even if you never reach that pinnacle.”
LeBron James scored 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 103-99.
Trailing 101-99 with twelve seconds left, the Kings had a chance to tie when LA’s Anthony Davis missed two free throws.
But the Kings couldn’t secure the rebound and fouled Austin Reaves, allowing the 26-year-old guard to seal the victory with two free throws.
Elsewhere, the Miami Heat threw away a 22-point lead in the final quarter to lose 121-114 to the Orlando Magic, while Steph Curry scored 31 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 113-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
