Duke basketball: Jayson Tatum joins elite company in Celtics history

Former Duke basketball standout Jayson Tatum made history with the Boston Celtics.

Milestones and awards are continuing to pile up for former Duke basketball star Jayson Tatum in his career with the Boston Celtics.

Most recently, the former Blue Devil became the second player in franchise history to score 4,000 career points before turning 23-years-old.

Tatum joined three-time All-Star Antoine Walker as the only players to reach the feat for the Celtics.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with a team-high 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three steals in a 116-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

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The Celtics were able to erase a 17-point deficit against the Pacers despite falling to the same team two nights prior.

The 6-foot-10 forward was 9-of-17 from the floor, 1-of-3 from 3-point range, and 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the win.

Tatum’s 4,000th point came at the free throw line, which put the Celtics up 101-100, a lead they would not relinquish.

On the season, the rising superstar is averaging 25.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game with a game-winning shot on Opening Night over back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo despite missing another chance at a game-winner on Sunday against the Pacers.

Much needed from the Duke basketball standout for success

As starting point guard Kemba Walker remains sidelined with a knee injury, the Celtics are relying much more on Jayson Tatum for offensive production, and he’s delivering.

Despite the recent two-game losing streak, Tatum has answered the questions from the Boston media but still needs to be more aggressive in his offensive attack.

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Prior to Sunday’s loss against the Pacers, Jayson Tatum was the first player in NBA history to start a season with two consecutive games with 20 or more field goal attempts and no free throw attempts.

Since, the former Blue Devil has been to the charity stripe 14 times in the last two games.

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics will return to Massachusetts for one game, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, December 30 before hitting the road for a four-game trip.