Jayson Tatum put on a show as the Boston Celtics dominated the Atlanta Hawks with a final score of 123-93, securing their third consecutive victory. Tatum displayed his scoring prowess by dropping 26 of his 28 points in the first half, along with contributing nine assists and six rebounds. His stellar performance allowed the Celtics to have a comfortable lead, leading to him sitting out the fourth quarter.
On the other hand, Hawks’ guard Trae Young’s night was cut short due to a right rib strain in the third quarter. Young struggled with his shot, going 1 for 10 from the field and finishing with only two points and six assists in 23 minutes of play.
Derrick White was another key player for the Celtics, adding 21 points and six assists to the team’s victory, while Payton Pritchard chipped in with 18 points coming off the bench. The absence of Jaylen Brown in the lineup did not seem to affect the Celtics’ performance, as they have now won 16 straight games without him due to a left hip flexor strain.
The Celtics’ impressive performance was marked by a 19-4 run to close out the second quarter, extending their lead over the Hawks. Their sharpshooting from beyond the arc was a significant factor in the win, with the team making a total of 18 three-pointers, 15 of which came in the first half. This stark contrast in three-point shooting between the two teams contributed to the Celtics outscoring the Hawks by a staggering 54-18 from deep.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will return home to face the Golden State Warriors, while the Hawks are set to host the New York Knicks in their next games. The Celtics’ strong start to the season, with a record of 7-1, is their best since the 2019-20 season when they started 10-1. Despite losing one game in overtime during their recent four-game road trip, the team’s confidence and momentum are on the rise.
Jalen Johnson’s continued improvement for the Hawks, with a 20-point, 11-rebound performance, signals positive development after a slow start to the season. His recent string of high-scoring games bodes well for the Hawks as they look to bounce back from their loss to the Celtics. The Celtics’ ability to maintain their winning streak without key players and their strong team chemistry will be crucial as they face tougher opponents in the upcoming games.
