Patrick Ewing and two other NBA legends surpassed by Jayson Tatum after Boston’s win over Magic

On Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics closed out the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Orlando Magic. They secured a dominant 120-89 victory at TD Garden in Game 5 to punch their ticket to the semifinals. Jayson Tatum was the clear star of the night, and his performance allowed him to eclipse records held by three NBA greats, including Patrick Ewing.

Tatum was the game’s leading scorer with 35 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds in 34 minutes on the court. That stat line was more than enough to clinch the win for Boston—but it also moved him up the all-time NBA playoff scoring list.

The forward now ranks 37th on the list with 2,836 career playoff points across eight seasons—all of which have included a postseason appearance for the Celtics. Tuesday night’s performance allowed him to surpass Patrick Ewing (2,813), Robert Parish (2,820), and Charles Barkley (2,833).

This milestone is impressive not just because Tatum passed some of the NBA’s most iconic players—all of them Hall of Famers—but also because he did it at such a young age. The Boston forward is only 27 years old and is already putting up numbers that place him alongside some of the greatest to ever play the game.

Knicks legend Patrick Ewing.

Who can Jayson Tatum surpass next?

Jayson Tatum is delivering at an elite level this postseason. He scored 17 points in Game 1 against the Magic and missed Game 2 due to a wrist issue. But since returning in Game 3, he has completely taken control of the series, leading Boston to the Eastern Conference semifinals with 36, 37, and 35 points in the last three matchups.

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If he keeps performing like this, it’s clear the forward won’t stay at No. 37 on the all-time NBA playoff scoring list for long. The next name in his sights is Golden State Warriors icon Rick Barry, who sits just 34 points ahead with 2,870.

Just above Barry are Sam Jones (2,909) and Dan Issel (2,934). Then, at No. 33, is the closest active player ahead of Tatum: Denver Nuggets’ Russell Westbrook, who has exactly 100 more playoff points than Jayson.

The Celtics await their semifinal opponent

With the series wrapped up in just five games, the Boston Celtics now get a few days to rest and prepare for their next challenge. The New York Knicks currently lead their series against the Detroit Pistons 3-2 and will look to close it out this Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.