It has become clear that LeBron James and Jayson Tatum understand what is at stake when their Lakers and Celtics face off.
The storied franchises have met in the NBA Finals 12 times and account for nearly 50 percent of the championships won in league history, tied at the top with 17 titles apiece. The rivalry has seen countless legends inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on both sides, all of whom understood just how much each individual matchup meant to the history of the sport.
James is representing Lakers lore like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant.
Tatum is representing Celtics greats like Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Two years back, I wrote about how James and Tatum were beginning to script the next chapter in Lakers-Celtics history. If their recent matchups are any indication, it'll be another page in the book when they face off on Christmas Day in 2023.
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Inside LeBron James vs. Jayson Tatum head-to-head matchup
When the first matchup of the James vs. Tatum era came down to a Rajon Rondo (of all players) game-winner, we should've known the present and future of the rivalry was in good hands.
In nine Lakers vs. Celtics games between James and Tatum, Boston has the edge 5-4.
The two superstars have made it abundantly clear that they shift their games into another gear to best represent the passionate disdain of Los Angeles vs. Boston.
| LeBron James | Jayson Tatum | |
| 4-5 | Record | 5-4 |
| 27.8 | PPG | 30.1 |
| 8.0 | RPG | 8.1 |
| 8.6 | APG | 3.7 |
| 0.8 | SPG | 1.3 |
| 0.2 | BPG | 0.7 |
| 53.3 | FG% | 52.5 |
| 38.4 | 3PT% | 50.9 |
Tatum tied a career-high at the time (41 points) in a loss to the Lakers on Feb. 23, 2020. He's gone for 30-plus points in all five meetings since then, including a 44-point performance in 2022.
James seems to have taken these meetings personally, too. He has scored at least 30 points in each of their last three matchups, including a 41-point outburst in Boston just last year.
MORE: Will both Tatum and LeBron be All-Star starters this season?
The last two games between the Celtics and Lakers have gone into overtime. Four of the nine matchups during the James vs. Tatum era have been decided by less than five points.
During the 2021-22 season, it was Tatum who buried a game-tying shot over James with 16.6 seconds remaining to send the game into OT, where the Celtics would come away with a win in Los Angeles.
Last season, the referees famously missed a foul call on James' game-winning drive attempt in regulation, resulting in a theatrical reaction from LeBron and an all-time "Shaqtin' A Fool" moment from Patrick Beverley, who brought a courtside photographer's camera onto the court to use a picture as proof that the official made a mistake.
Boston went on to win that one in overtime as well.
Patrick Beverley really brought a camera out to the floor 😅 pic.twitter.com/7hMugg7BaN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 29, 2023
James continues to defy Father Time, proving he hasn't fallen off yet despite being 38 years old in his 21st season. Tatum is entering the prime of his career, establishing himself as one of the best players in the league.
With both superstars playing at an All-NBA level and revenge to be had in the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, NBA fans are in for their best present with this primetime matchup on NBA Christmas Day.