Jayson Tatum matched the record set by Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as the Celtics earned a comfortable 123-98 win against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
The 26-year-old hit the triple-double of his career, with 43 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists as the defending NBA champions moved into second in the Eastern Conference.
It was the first time a Celtics player had hit a 40-point triple double since Bird, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner, did so for the first time against Portland in 1992.
“Larry Bird might be the best player to ever wear this jersey,” Tatum said.
“So whenever you do something in the same sentence as you, it’s something important, even if you don’t reach the highest.”
LeBron James scored 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 103-99.
Trailing 101-99 with 12 seconds remaining, the Kings had a chance to tie the game when LA’s Anthony Davis missed two free throws.
But the Kings could not secure the rebound and violated Austin Reaves in the process, allowing the 26-year-old guard to seal the win with two free throws.
Elsewhere, the Miami Heat blew 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 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
