Most points in a Game 7: Celtics' Jayson Tatum leads full list after playoff performance vs. 76ers

Gilbert McGregor

Most points in a Game 7: Celtics' Jayson Tatum leads full list after playoff performance vs. 76ers image

The thing about records is that they're meant to be broken, regardless of how fresh — or old — the record is.

On Sunday, Jayson Tatum broke a two-week-old record by scoring 51 points in a win over the 76ers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In doing so, he broke a record set by Stephen Curry in Game 7 of the opening round of these same playoffs.

Tatum was nothing short of spectacular when it mattered most, taking over during an extended stretch in which Boston ran away to ultimately earn a 24-point win. In addition to his 51 points on 17-of-28 shooting, Tatum pulled down 13 rebounds and dished out five assists.

And Tatum electrified the TD Garden crowd with his every move.

Thanks in large part to Tatum's performance, the Celtics are advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for a rematch with the Heat, who they eliminated in seven games last year.

As Tatum has rewritten history, The Sporting News takes an updated look at the history books.

MORE: Best highlights from Game 7 of Celtics vs. 76ers

Who has the most points in an NBA Playoffs Game 7?

Tatum now holds the NBA record for most points in a Game 7. Tatum's outing is just the second 50-point game in any Game 7 in NBA Playoff history.

The previous record was set by Curry, who had 50 points in a 120-100 win over the Kings in Game 7 of the opening round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Here's how other outings stack up to Tatum's:

Player Points Playoffs Result
Jayson Tatum 51 2023 112-88 win vs. 76ers
Stephen Curry 50 2023 120-110 win vs. Kings
Kevin Durant 48 2021 115-111 loss vs. Bucks (OT)
Dominique Wilkins 47 1988 118-116 loss vs. Celtics
Sam Jones 47 1963 142-131 win vs. Royals
Luka Doncic 47 2021 126-111 loss to Clippers
Kevin Johnson 46 1995 115-114 loss to Rockets
LeBron James 45 2018 105-101 win vs. Pacers
LeBron James 45 2008 97-92 loss to Celtics
Allen Iverson 44 2001 108-91 win vs. Bucks
Charles Barkley 44 1993 123-110 win vs. SuperSonics

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.