The Boston Celtics have looked every bit the title challenger that fans and analysts expected them to be entering the 2023-24 NBA season.

After a disastrous season in which they lost in seven games to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics revamped their team with two All-Stars in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. It has contributed to them having the best record in the NBA thus far. Jayson Tatum’s outstanding play has been a significant part of the Celtics’ early success. With a historic first-half performance, Tatum has joined Minnesota Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns in NBA history.

Jayson Tatum concluded the first half of the Celtics’ game against the Charlotte Hornets with 31 points and nine rebounds on 66 percent shooting from the floor. Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns are the only two players in league history to have 30+ points, nine rebounds, and five three-pointers in a half. Towns accomplished this achievement in the second half of the Timberwolves’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 14, 2022. He finished with 36 points, nine rebounds, and six three-pointers.

Tatum has put himself in contention for the NBA MVP Award this season. He’s averaging 26.9 points per game, 8.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 13 games for the Celtics, with splits of 50.4 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from the three-point line, and 79.7 percent from the free-throw line.

The Celtics are 11-2 and on a six-game winning streak.