Jayson Tatum’s LeBron James Dunk Brings Back Memories Of His Rookie-Year Brilliance
Jayson Tatum has given basketball fans another moment to remember, and LeBron James found himself on the wrong end of a spectacular highlight once again.
The Boston Celtics superstar produced an emphatic one-handed dunk over James during Tuesday night’s meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the kind of play that immediately brought back memories of Tatum’s rookie season, when he famously attacked the Los Angeles Lakers superstar during the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.
There was something particularly special about seeing Tatum recreate that moment nearly eight years later. The circumstances have changed, the players have grown older, and Tatum has established himself as one of the NBA’s biggest stars. However, his willingness to attack the basket against one of basketball’s greatest players remains exactly the same.
And judging by the reaction to the latest highlight, fans certainly appreciated the trip down memory lane.
Tatum Puts LeBron James On A Poster Again
The spectacular moment happened midway through the third quarter as Boston faced Philadelphia in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference matchup.
Tatum split a double-team, attacked the basket and found James waiting near the rim. Rather than slowing down, the Celtics forward elevated and threw down a powerful one-handed slam over the veteran superstar.
After landing, Tatum celebrated by banging his chest, making the entire sequence even more reminiscent of their famous encounter in 2018.
NBC commentator Noah Eagle immediately recognised the similarities, shouting, “throwing it back to his rookie year.”
Boston’s social media team also joined the nostalgia, using the captions “rookie year throwback” and “he did it AGAIN” when sharing the highlight.
It was an appropriate reaction because this was not simply another impressive dunk. It was a reminder of how far Tatum has travelled since first announcing himself as a future NBA superstar.
For James, meanwhile, it was another reminder that even his extraordinary experience cannot prevent younger players from challenging him at the rim.
The 2018 Moment That Started It All
To understand why Tuesday’s dunk generated so much excitement, basketball fans need to revisit May 2018.
Tatum was still a rookie when the Boston Celtics faced James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston was fighting for a place in the NBA Finals, and the young forward was already showing remarkable confidence against one of the most dominant players the league had ever seen.
During that decisive contest, Tatum attacked James and delivered an emphatic dunk over him before making physical contact with the Cleveland superstar after landing.
The moment became one of the defining highlights of his first NBA season.
Although Boston eventually lost the game 87-79, Tatum had given supporters a glimpse of what could come from his career.
He was not intimidated by the occasion or the reputation of the opponent standing in front of him.
James eventually guided Cleveland to the NBA Finals, but the image of the young Celtics forward challenging him remained memorable.
Fast-forward to November 2026, and Tatum has now delivered another spectacular reminder of that encounter.
The biggest difference is that he is no longer the promising rookie trying to establish himself. He is an established superstar capable of carrying championship expectations.
A Different Tatum, But The Same Confidence
What makes this latest highlight even more interesting is the journey Tatum has taken since that memorable rookie-year performance.
He has developed into a six-time All-Star and one of the central figures in Boston’s championship ambitions. His game has matured, and he is now expected to deliver consistently in the biggest moments rather than simply provide occasional flashes of brilliance.
Tuesday’s performance showed that he understands his responsibilities beyond scoring spectacular baskets.
Tatum finished with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. He also contributed defensively and helped Boston maintain its composure when Philadelphia threatened to make things uncomfortable.
The dunk was undoubtedly the highlight, but his overall performance was another example of the influence he has on both ends of the floor.
There is also something encouraging about the confidence he displayed attacking the basket. For a player who has already achieved so much, continuing to produce these explosive moments against elite opposition is exactly what Celtics supporters want to see.
Celtics Get The Better Of Their Former Teammate
The game itself carried another major storyline because it marked the first meeting between Tatum and Jaylen Brown since their unexpected separation.
Brown was traded to Philadelphia during the summer, ending a partnership that had helped Boston compete at the highest level for several seasons.
Naturally, supporters were interested to see how the former teammates would react to sharing the same court again.
There was an awkward moment before tip-off when Tatum attempted to greet Brown, but the Philadelphia forward barely acknowledged him.
Once the game started, however, Tatum allowed his basketball to do the talking.
Brown struggled to make a significant impact, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists while committing four turnovers.
Tatum, meanwhile, helped Boston secure a convincing 123-101 victory on the road.
Paul George was arguably the biggest difference-maker, producing an outstanding 36-point performance against his former team. He connected on six three-pointers and scored 14 points in the fourth quarter as Boston pulled away.
Payton Pritchard also contributed 18 points, while Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 24.
The Celtics had to deal with a genuine challenge when Philadelphia fought back to tie the contest at 79-79 late in the third quarter.
However, Boston responded with an impressive scoring run and eventually turned a competitive matchup into a comfortable victory.
It was a statement performance from a team that looks increasingly dangerous with its new combination of talent.
Why The Dunk Matters Beyond The Highlight
There is always something entertaining about watching an established superstar challenge another legendary player.
James is approaching his 42nd birthday, but he continues to compete against some of the best players in the league. His longevity remains extraordinary, and he has spent much of his career defending his reputation against younger generations.
Tatum’s latest dunk was a reminder that the competitive spirit between these two players has not disappeared.
For younger NBA fans, the 2018 moment might simply be another classic highlight from Tatum’s early career. For those who followed that playoff series, seeing him recreate the sequence against the same opponent adds an entirely different layer of nostalgia.
It also says something about Tatum’s development.
Back then, he was trying to prove he belonged among the league’s elite. Today, he is one of the players younger stars measure themselves against.
And while one spectacular dunk does not determine a player’s greatness, these are the moments that help build an unforgettable career.
Can Tatum Lead Boston To Another Championship?
The bigger question now is whether Tatum can use performances like this to help Boston establish itself as a genuine championship favourite.
The Celtics improved to 9-2 following the victory, moving ahead of Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference standings. Their combination of Tatum’s all-around ability, George’s scoring and Pritchard’s contribution gives them several ways to hurt opposing teams.
There is still plenty of basketball to be played, and the team will need to maintain this level of consistency against tougher challenges.
But the early signs are encouraging.
For Tatum personally, Tuesday night was another opportunity to remind everyone why he belongs among the NBA’s elite.
Eight years after putting James on a poster as a rookie, he has done it again as an established superstar.
The dunk was spectacular, the nostalgia was undeniable, and Boston got the victory to make the occasion even sweeter.
One question for NBA fans: Was Tatum’s latest dunk on LeBron even better than his famous rookie-year poster in 2018?