Tue May 13 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Celtics Bounce Back, Tatum Surpasses Kobe in Playoff Scoring
**NEW YORK, NY** – Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a decisive 115-93 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Saturday, narrowing the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. Tatum’s 22-point performance, highlighted by five three-pointers, also saw him surpass Kobe Bryant for the second-most playoff points scored by a player before the age of 27, trailing only LeBron James.
The Celtics, who had squandered significant leads in the first two games, showcased improved consistency, hitting 20 three-pointers as a team. Tatum’s overall contribution extended beyond scoring, with nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. His performance comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of his playoff performances, a pressure intensified by his consistent deep playoff runs since entering the league. In his eight seasons, he’s reached the Eastern Conference Finals five times and won a championship, highlighting his sustained success.
Tatum’s career playoff averages of 24.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists place him in elite company, joining only five other players with at least 50 playoff appearances and similar averages. This impressive feat further underscores his consistent high level of play throughout his career.
With the series now shifting back to Boston, the Celtics will need another strong performance from Tatum to overcome the 2-1 deficit and continue their quest for a repeat championship.
First Piper 