LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Jayson Tatum exploded for 43 points in his first triple-double of the season Saturday as the National Basketball Association champion Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls 123-98 to avenge a defeat just days earlier.
Tatum added 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a dominant performance in Chicago, connecting on 16 of his 24 shot attempts and nine of 15 from three-point range.
Tatum joined Larry Bird as the only Celtics player to record a 40-point triple-double.
He joined current Clippers star James Harden as the only players to record at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and nine made three-pointers in a game.
“It’s all about finding your moments to accommodate the game,” Tatum said, adding that coach Joe Mazzulla “tries to get me to dominate and amplify my teammates and make guys better.”
Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and Jaylen Brown chipped in 19 for the Celtics, who were stunned 117-108 on their home floor by the Bulls on Thursday.
Nikola Vucevic scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Bulls while Zach LaVine, who scored 36 on Thursday, was held to 14 points.