Celtics Squander Big Lead, Fall to Hawks in Dramatic Finish (120-118): Hunter Emerges as Hero in Trae Young’s Absence
In a thrilling upset, the Atlanta Hawks pulled off a remarkable comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, edging them out 120-118 at State Farm Arena. Trailing by as many as 30 points in the first half, the Hawks orchestrated a stunning rally, fueled by a dominant performance from De’Andre Hunter and a collective defensive effort. The Celtics, despite leading for most of the game and a strong showing from Jayson Tatum (28 points) in the first half, faltered down the stretch, allowing Atlanta to steal the win in the final seconds. Jayson Taytum was top scorer fro Celtics with 37 points and 8 rebounds while De’Andre Hunter was top scorer fro Hawks with 24 points 7 rebounds.
First Half Domination by Celtics Sets the Stage
The Celtics established control early, showcasing their offensive efficiency and defensive intensity. Jayson Tatum found his rhythm quickly, knocking down key shots and leading the charge. Boston’s defense, typically a force to be reckoned with, stifled the Hawks’ offense, forcing turnovers and limiting their scoring opportunities.
“We started the game with great energy,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla in his post-game press conference. “Our offense was clicking, and defensively, we were doing a good job containing their scorers. We built a comfortable lead, but things fell apart for us in the second half.”
The Hawks, missing their star point guard Trae Young due to injury, looked sluggish and outmatched in the first half. Their offense sputtered, and frustration mounted as turnovers and missed shots plagued their early efforts.
Hawks Unleash Second Half Surge
The tide began to turn early in the third quarter. The Hawks, fueled by a passionate home crowd and a renewed sense of urgency, displayed a significant increase in intensity. De’Andre Hunter, known primarily for his defensive prowess, emerged as an offensive threat, knocking down crucial three-pointers and leading the second-half surge.
“We never gave up hope, even when we were down big,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “We knew we had to make a run, and the guys responded magnificently in the second half. De’Andre stepped up big time offensively, and our entire team played with a lot of heart on the defensive end. We chipped away at the lead, and eventually, we were able to take control.”
The Celtics, uncharacteristically sloppy in the second half, committed several unforced turnovers which allowed the Hawks to capitalize on easy scoring opportunities. Boston’s offensive production also stalled, with Jaylen Brown struggling to find his scoring touch after a strong first half.
Dramatic Finish Leaves Celtics Dejected
With one minute remaining, Dejounte Murray made a reverse layup to keep the Hawks up, 117-116. With the shot clock running out, Jaylen Brown missed a desperate three-pointer, and Hunter clinched the deal with a critical assist from Clint Capela.
Following a failed jump shot by Murray, Capela snatched up the offensive rebound and saw Hunter by himself at the top of the key. Hunter missed an open look from 26 feet, even though the shot clock was off and he could have forced the Celtics to foul.
Before he received the ball, Hunter had gone over the scenario.
Hunter told himself, “I’m shooting if he passes it to me.” “I shot it after he passed it to me after he got the rebound.”
Court-side view of Dre's DAGGER 🗡️ pic.twitter.com/rxSPsg2cB9
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 26, 2024
The Celtics had a final chance to tie or win the game, but couldn’t capitalize the opportunity sealing Atlanta’s improbable victory.
Atlanta has not experienced a greater comeback victory since the 1997–98 season, when the NBA started to maintain comprehensive play-by-play records.
“We’re disappointed with the way we closed out the game,” said Tatum, reflecting on his missed shot. “We can’t afford to have those mental lapses down the stretch. We built a big lead, but we let it slip away.”
“We eased in the second half, and they established a strong rhythm,” stated Jayson Tatum, who scored 37 points to lead the Celtics. “It’s a difficult pill to take.”
De’Andre Hunter, the unlikely hero for the Hawks, finished the game with a team-high 28 points, showcasing his offensive potential in the absence of their star player.
“This is a huge win for us,” said Hunter, celebrating the victory. “We showed a lot of heart and character tonight. We never quit, and we found a way to win against a very good team, even without Trae.”
Although Murray scored 19 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 22, the Hawks were truly lifted by a number of players who are typically buried deep on the bench.
With 16 points, including a 3-pointer that had him shaking his head in disbelief at his own performance, Vit Krejci shrugged his shoulders in the direction of his teammates. Bruno Fernando scored 13 points, and Matthews made two significant 3-pointers.
“Everything seemed to be working out well for us”, Krejci remarked. It was a very wonderful occasion. We must figure out how to maintain that feeling throughout the entire game.
Key Stats Highlight the Comeback
Here’s a closer look at the key statistics from the game:
| Stat | Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 118 | 120 |
| Field Goal % | 42.3% | 45.7% |
| 3-Point % | 33.3% | 30.8% |
| Free Throw % | 82.4% | 78.6% |
| Rebounds | 38 | 45 |
| Assists | 28 | 24 |
| Steals | 9 | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 15 |
Boston’s three-point shooting problems are costing them the game once more. Due of careless 3-point shots made in spite of their struggles, they have lost the majority of their games this season.
Looking Ahead
This unexpected defeat serves as a wake-up call for the Celtics. Their struggles to close out the game and their second-half collapse will be areas of focus for Coach Joe Mazzulla moving forward. The Hawks, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence after this dramatic win. They’ve proven they have capacity to beat NBA best team.
Celtics are still at the top of the Eastern Conference with 57-15 record but their 9 game winning streak has been broken by this loss https://x.com/NBA/status/1772504285286224221?s=20
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