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.

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.

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.

Speaking on The OGs Podcast, Mourning recalled a career-altering decision in the mid-1990s. At the time, he was a rising star with the Charlotte Hornets and was expecting a lucrative contract extension, especially after the team had just rewarded Larry Johnson with a major deal. However, Hornets owner George Shinn had other plans.

“The owner, George Shinn, had paid LJ. And I was next up. My agent told me, ‘I can get you this deal with five different teams. You just have to choose where you want to go.’ I said, ‘No, I want to stay in Charlotte.’”

“David Falk [Mourning’s agent] said, ‘I don’t think Charlotte’s going to pay you that number.’ I told him I’d even take less money to stay. So we started talking with George Shinn, and his exact words were, ‘You’re not worth that.’”

The conversation with Ewing

With his future in Charlotte in doubt, Mourning reached out to Ewing, hoping for some insight—maybe even an invitation to join the Knicks. But Ewing had a different response.

“When [Shinn] told me that, I knew I had to leave. During that process, I reached out to Patrick. I asked him about playing under Pat Riley. I said, ‘I heard his practices are tough, man.’ And Pat was like, ‘Boy, you went to Georgetown. As hard as our practices were, you ain’t gonna be intimidated by that.’”

“Then I told him, ‘Patrick, I had a chance to come to New York and play with you.’ And he was like, ‘Nah, I don’t want you here. Go to Miami.’” Alonzo said. “That sealed it for me. That was the deciding factor. I spoke with [Georgetown coach] Big John and Patrick, and they both told me to go to Miami.”

The best decision of his career

Mourning ultimately joined the Miami Heat in 1995 and became the face of the NBA franchise. Over 11 seasons with Miami (across two stints), he averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. He was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000), and a key pillar of the Heat’s culture under Pat Riley.

He later returned to Miami in 2005, playing a crucial role off the bench during the Heat’s historic 2006 championship run—the first title in franchise history. Looking back, Mourning’s decision to follow Ewing’s advice and take his talents to South Beach proved to be one of the best moves of his Hall of Fame career.

“The Dream” confidently asserted that he aged better as a player compared to Ewing. “The difference between Patrick and me is that he’s had serious injuries, and I’ve never had those,” Olajuwon said after signing with the Toronto Raptors in the same summer the Orlando Magic acquired Ewing. “My problems have been cosmetic.”

Both stars were widely expected to finish their careers with the franchises that defined them, but in a surprising turn, each was traded late in their storied careers. In 2000, Ewing was dealt to the Seattle SuperSonics, and the following year, Olajuwon was shipped to the Raptors.

The Olajuwon-Ewing rivalry took shape in the 1980s and 1990s, with both players leading their respective franchises—the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks—to consistent playoff success. Their battles were often seen as a clash of styles: Olajuwon’s fluid footwork and agility versus Ewing’s physicality and elite mid-range shooting. As two of the league’s premier big men, their matchups were must-watch television, particularly in high-stakes regular-season and playoff encounters.

1994 NBA finals showdown

The pinnacle of their rivalry came in the 1994 NBA Finals, when Olajuwon’s Rockets met Ewing’s Knicks in a grueling seven-game series. Olajuwon delivered an iconic performance, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.9 blocks per game, while Ewing countered with 18.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per contest.

In Game 6, Olajuwon made one of the most memorable defensive plays in Finals history, blocking John Starks’ last-second three-pointer to force a decisive Game 7. The Rockets ultimately prevailed, securing Olajuwon’s first NBA championship and leaving Ewing just short of his elusive ring.

Regular-season and playoff duels

Throughout their careers, Olajuwon and Ewing clashed multiple times in both the regular season and postseason, with Olajuwon often holding the statistical advantage. Over their careers, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 51.2% from the field.

Ewing, on the other hand, posted career averages of 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and 1.0 steal per game with a 50.4% field goal percentage. While their numbers were close, Olajuwon had the edge defensively with superior shot-blocking, steals, and a more refined post game that made him nearly unguardable in the paint.

Legacy and impact

Both players left a lasting mark on the game, inspiring future generations of big men with their skill, leadership, and defensive dominance. While Olajuwon is widely regarded as the more complete player due to his two-way brilliance and postseason success, Ewing remains one of the greatest centers of all time, known for his resilience and ability to anchor the Knicks through one of the league’s most competitive eras. Their rivalry not only defined a generation of basketball but also showcased the importance of elite center play in the NBA’s golden age of big men.

“You know, it’s funny, everybody asks that question, and to me, Michael Jordan is the best in my era,” Ewing said during a 2024 interview on The Mark Jackson Show, emphasizing that, in his view, the Chicago Bulls legend stands above all other players in NBA history.

Patrick further explained why Jordan is at the top of the list, highlighting: “The way that he played, everything that he brought to the table.” However, he was quick to acknowledge other legends who deserve recognition, though he firmly placed MJ ahead. “Not to take anything away from LeBron (James) or Kobe (Bryant),” he noted.

While recognizing James as one of the best players he’s ever seen, Ewing drew a clear distinction between the two. “LeBron is great,” he said, “But Mike was a killer from day one, he was an assassin from day one.” Elaborating on James’ development, Ewing added: “I thought LeBron had to learn how to be an assassin… He’s great, but I’m going to say Michael.”

Ewing vs Jordan

Ewing’s admiration for Jordan isn’t just theoretical—he lived it. Both players entered the NBA around the same time, with Jordan being drafted by Chicago in 1984 and Ewing the following year by the Knicks. The two were also teammates on the iconic 1992 Dream Team that captured gold at the Barcelona Olympics.

As competitors, Patrick and Michael faced off five times in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. In all of those matchups, Jordan’s Bulls triumphed over Ewing’s Knicks. Notably, with Ewing New York only reached the NBA Finals during the two occasions when Jordan was retired from basketball—first in 1994 when the Knicks eliminated a Jordan-less Bulls team, and again in 1999.

Ewing picks LeBron as a teammate

While Ewing has immense respect for Michael Jordan’s individual greatness, he’s not shy about sharing his preference as to who he’d want to play alongside. “If you ask me who would I want to play with, I would say LeBron,” Patrick explained. And then he gave the reason for his preference: “Because I wanna score,” the Knicks legend laughed.

“LeBron is a lot like Magic (Johnson). He’s a facilitator, he knows how to get people the ball.” Ewing said, highlighting that James’ playmaking ability is a major asset. And finally he considered, “You know, he became a scorer as he got older.”

Ewing’s legendary career

While Ewing’s views on the greatest of all time are insightful, his own legendary career speaks for itself. The former center was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986, earned 11 All-Star selections, and twice represented Team USA in the Olympics, winning gold medals in both 1984 and 1992.

Ewing’s legacy is cemented, with the Knicks retiring his jersey number 33 in honor of his remarkable career. After his time in New York, Patrick spent brief stints with the Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic before retiring in 2002.

Patrick Ewing was courtside at Madison Square Garden to witness the Knicks’ victory, and after the game, Karl-Anthony Towns took a moment to reflect on the impact of the franchise legend. “I mean, that’s the legend. That’s the man who built Mecca,” the 29-year-old center remarked. “For me to grow up watching him play, and now for him to watch me play in the Mecca, is a humbling experience.”

Towns went on to express the deep personal connection he feels with Ewing, whose career inspired him as a child dreaming of playing in the NBA. “To be able to have him sit courtside like that… The little kid in me is jumping for joy. So I’m really honored. I’m blessed to have this opportunity,” he added.

Karl-Anthony certainly didn’t disappoint his idol, putting together a stellar performance that was key to the Knicks’ victory. The 29-year-old center led the team with 27 points, matching forward OG Anunoby for the game-high. In addition to his scoring, Towns grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 2 assists during his 34 minutes on the floor.

Asking about his impressive performance, a reporter referenced assistant coach Andy Greer’s halftime comment, saying, “He mentioned that you make scoring look easy. Does it feel that way some nights?” Towns responded thoughtfully, emphasizing the dedication behind his success. “I work really hard on my game, so what you call easy is a lot of hours and work I put in.”

Knicks’ season on the rise

The victory over Toronto elevated the Knicks to a 25-13 record, solidifying their place in third in the Eastern Conference standings. Towns expressed pride in the team’s progress. “It’s great for the vibes, great for the team, great for the city. Every win means a lot, so to go on the right side is good,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum as the Knicks aim to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

Patrick Ewing’s legacy in New York

When Towns called Ewing “the man who built Mecca,” he wasn’t exaggerating. Widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in NBA history, Ewing was the heart of the Knicks for 15 seasons. Selected first overall in the 1985 NBA Draft, he earned Rookie of the Year honors, became an 11-time NBA All-Star, and won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA, including one as part of the legendary Dream Team in 1992.

Ewing’s impact on the Knicks was so profound that the franchise retired his iconic No. 33 jersey. For players like Towns, Ewing represents not just Knicks greatness but also the enduring legacy of basketball excellence at Madison Square Garden.

We don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. On the contrary, it’s great to see how much the game has evolved through time. And, even if some may like old-school basketball the most, today’s NBA is still pretty enjoyable.

Even so, given the way the game is played nowadays, some old-school players believe that they would completely own today’s stars. That’s the case with Knicks legend Patrick Ewing, who recently said that he could be as dominant as Michael Jordan.

Patrick Ewing Says He’d Be As Dominant As Michael Jordan If He Played Today

“There’s not that many great centers. I’d be Michael Jordan in this era. It’s definitely changed, the way that teams play, the way that everybody spreads the floor. Most big guys, instead of posting up, they want to get out and shoot 3s,” Ewing said, as quoted by Statline.

Ewing wasa force on both ends of the glass, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game on 50.4% shooting. So, he could definitely stand his ground against today’s bigs. As for being as good as Jordan, we’re not so sure.

Michael Jordan Still Trash-Talks Patrick Ewing

Ewing sure knows one thing or two about Michael Jordan. Besides being one of his fiercest rivals since high school, Jordan was the most successful player in the league during Ewing’s prime. Up to this day, he still makes fun of him for never winning a ring:

“You know it’s funny, Michael and I are very good friends,” Ewing told ESPN.“As a matter of fact, he was the one who got me into coaching. He started my coaching by giving me an opportunity here with the Wizards. But back then, we have known each other from high school. But we had some remarkable, great battles and the crazy thing is, he talks so much trash that even today he lets me know that I was never able to beat his team.”

“It was like, ‘The only time you beat the Bulls was the year that I retired’. If it wasn’t for him and his team, I might have been able to possibly have an opportunity to win one, maybe two rings. But he was just so dominant and such a great competitor, that it wasn’t in the cards for me,” he added.

Ewing is a Hall of Famer for plenty of reasons. He’s one of the best players of all time and no one can take that away from him. But maybe saying that he would be as good as Jordan is a bit of a reach.

Being lucky, staying healthy, having a team that puts themin a position to succeed, are just some of the few things that have prevented some of the greatest players to ever do it from winning a ring.

That’s why today, we’re going to honor their legacies and talk about the 10 greatest NBA players who have never won a championship, perhaps the only stain on their otherwise perfect résumés.

Honorable Mention: Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Chris Mullin, George Gervin, Reggie Miller, Damian Lillard, George Yardley, Dominique Wilkins, Bob Lanier, Sidney Moncrief.

The Best NBA Players Who Have Never Won A Ring

10. Russell Westbrook

Career Stats: 23.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43.7% FG
Accolades: 9x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champion, 3x Assists Champion, 9x All-NBA, All-Rookie, 2x All-Star MVP, MVP

We take Russell Westbrook for granted and normalize him averaging a triple-double but there’s nothing normal about that. He’s one of the most athletic players in NBA history, a fearless competitor, and a guy that could take every single player in the league one-on-one.

His decision-making is erratic at times but he’s never shied away from taking a big shot or taking matters into his own hands. He decided to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs even when Kevin Durant left, and hopefully, he’ll get a shot at winning a ring.

9. Patrick Ewing

Career Stats: 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 50.4% FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, 3x All-Defensive, All-Rookie, Rookie of the Year

Patrick Ewing is one of the countless victims of the toughest Eastern Conference in NBA history. The Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, and – of course – Chicago Bulls prevented him from going the distance.

The one time he managed to get to the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks just couldn’t do anything to beat Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. Still, Ewing will go down as the greatest player in franchise history.

8. Elgin Baylor

Career Stats: 27.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 43.1% FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 11x All-Star, 10x All-NBA, All-Star MVP, Rookie of the Year

Elgin Baylor is the unluckiest player in NBA history. He dominated in the regular season in an era when the league was ruled by Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics, who won the ring in 11 out of 13 seasons.

The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t win the ring during Baylor’s tenure with the team. Nonetheless, hewas forced to retire early in the season due to a knee injury, just to watch him win the championship that very same year. That’s some tough luck.

7. Steve Nash

Career Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, 1.4 3PG, 49.0% FG, 42.8% 3FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 8x All-Star, 5x Assists Champion, 7x All-NBA, 2x MVP

Steve Nash gets a lot of criticism for the MVP awards he won. Some people claim that his numbers were underwhelming and those awards should’ve been won by Shaquille O’Neal. Well, either those people don’t know about basketball or they didn’t watch him play.

Steve Nash was by far the best player in the most exciting team in the Association during that time. He was efficient (even joined the 50/40/90 club) and changed the way an offense was orchestratedback then. He was just incredibly talented and impactful.

6. Charles Barkley

Career Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 54.1% FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 11x All-Star, Rebounds Champion, 11x All-NBA, All-Rookie, All-Star MVP, MVP

Charles Barkley only made a couple of mistakes during his career: Winning an MVP, and making it to the NBA Finals. There, he faced an inspired Michael Jordan that was eager to prove that he was snubbed from the award.

Barkley’s Phoenix Suns lost in 6 games to Jordan’s Bulls and even though he continued to dominate at will despite being an undersized big man, he never got another chance to win the ultimate prize.

5. Karl Malone

Career Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 51.6% FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 14x All-Star, 14x All-NBA, 4x All-Defensive, All-Rookie, 2x All-Star MVP, 2x MVP

Karl Malone is yet another victim of Michael Jordan. He’s one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, a dominant two-way force that was going to get whatever he wanted in the paint and that could make grown men look like high schoolers.

The Mailman always delivered. Except when he had to cross paths with Jordan’s Bulls in the NBA Finals. The Utah Jazz lost at that stage in back-to-back seasons and Malone tried – unsuccessfully – to win a ring with the Lakers before retiring.

4. James Harden

Career Stats: 25.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 2.8 3PG, 44.4% FG
Accolades: 9x All-Star, 3x Scoring Champion, Assists Champion, 7x All-NBA, All-Rookie, MVP, Sixth Man of The Year

James Harden went from being the Sixth Man of the Year to an MVP and Scoring Champion in little-to-no time. He broke out as the most unstoppable scorer in the league with the Houston Rockets and is now looking to win his first ring.

Harden has had some tough luck in the postseason, either with subpar performances or injuries. He made it to the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder but their lack of experience cost them the ring.

3. John Stockton

Career Stats: 13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 10.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 51.5% FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 10x All-Star, 9x Assists Champion, 2x Steals Champion, 11x All-NBA, 5x All-Defensive, All-Star MVP

John Stockton is considered by some as the greatest pure point guard of all time. He holds the records for most total assists and steals in NBA history and those will stand for a very, very long time.

Stockton was as smart and crafty as he was durable. He rarely missed a game and was the true definition of efficiency. As you may know by now, Michael Jordan kept him from winning a ring in back-to-back seasons.

2. Allen Iverson

Career Stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 42.5% FG
Accolades: Hall of Famer, 11x All-Star, 4x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Champion, 7x All-NBA, All-Rookie, 2x All-Star MVP, MVP, Rookie of the Year

Allen Iverson is perhaps the most talented player to never win a ring. People called him out for his work ethic but you could never say that he didn’t put in the work every single night out there.

Iverson was an offensive juggernaut that single-handedly led his Philadelphia 76ers to the playoffs. But the only time he carried them to the NBA Finals, he had to face Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

1. Chris Paul

Career Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.4 3PG, 47.2% FG
Accolades: 11x All-Star, 4x Assists Champion, 6x Steals Champion, 10x All-NBA, 9x All-Defensive, All-Rookie, All-Star MVP, Rookie of the Year

Chris Paul had never made it to the Conference Finals until he joined the Phoenix Suns. He always got hurt, his team blew a lead, or he just had some bad luck. Also, David Stern vetoed his trade to join Kobe and the Lakers.

Even so, Paul is a sure candidate to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s been the best point guard in the NBA since he entered the league and his basketball IQ is one of the highest of all time. He’s the last true point guard.

However, there have been multiple foreign legends of the game who paved the way for many more to come. Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker are just a few of the names that come to mind.

Then again, there have been several other players that even played for Team USA despite not being born in America, or that spent most of their lives in the U.S but weren’t born onAmerican soil. That’s why today, we’re going to let you know about 5 NBA players you may have not known that were born overseas.

Clint Capela

Clint Capela has made a name for himself for his rim-running, rim-protection, and rebounding skills. Originally drafted by the Houston Rockets, he’s now one of the biggest factors for the Atlanta Hawks.

What most people don’t know is that the big man wasn’t actually born in the United States. In fact, he didn’t even attend college, as he was born and raised in Switzerland. He’s the highest-earning team athlete in his nation’s history.

Reggie Jackson

A couple of years ago, it seemed like Reggie Jackson was poised to break out and become one of the best scoring guards in the league. Those days have passed but he’s still having a big role off the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers.

With that name, you’d assume that he was born in the United States, but that’s not true. He was actually born in Pordenone, Italy, as his fathers were American soldiers deployed on Italian soil when he was born.

Patrick Ewing

Most people consider Patrick Ewing as the greatest player in New York Knicks history and I won’t be the one to disagree. He was one of the most dominant rebounders and post scorers of his time, even representing Team USA.

But, crazy as it may seem, Ewing wasn’t even an American, at least not from the States. The legend out of Georgetown was actually born in Jamaica, and his son used to play for the Jamaican national team.

Steve Kerr

Wait, what? How come Steve Kerr isn’t American? With that name, and having attended an NCAA program, how on earth the legendary three-point shooter, 8-time NBA Champion wasn’t born on U.S soil?

Well, believe it or not, Steve Kerr was actually born inLebanon, where his father was a college teacher. Sadly, he was assassinated by extremists while Steve was back home in the United States.

Kyrie Irving

And last, but not least, we find perhaps the most surprising player on this list. Yes, believe it or not, Kyrie Irving wasn’t born in the United States. As a matter of fact, he was born in Melbourne, Australia.

Irving became infamous for his thoughts on the earth being flat, but he should know better, as he had to make a huge trip when he was a kid. He’s played for the United States and was even named MVP of the FIBA World Cup in 2014.