BOSTON — In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Boston Celtics with a final score of 119-115 on Saturday night. The decisive moments came when Dyson Daniels sunk a crucial jumper with just over a minute remaining in overtime, followed by Onyeka Okongwu, who secured victory by making two free throws with only 11 seconds left on the clock.
Leading the way for Atlanta, Trae Young scored 28 points and provided 12 assists, while Daniels contributed significantly with 23 points. On the other side, Jaylen Brown showcased his skills for Boston, finishing with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Jayson Tatum, despite dealing with a left shoulder strain that had him listed as questionable prior to the game, managed to score 23 points, although he struggled with his shooting, going 7 for 21. He had an impressive outing with 30 points during the previous game against Orlando on Friday but appeared to experience discomfort, frequently flexing his shoulder during pregame warmups. Tatum started off slow, missing seven of his first eight attempts.
In a dramatic finish to regulation, Young was able to convert two free throws, tying the game with just 3.5 seconds left. Tatum attempted a fallaway shot as time expired but was unsuccessful. He also had a chance to put his team ahead late in the overtime period but missed a critical three-pointer.
Key observations from the game included Young making his return after sitting out due to a bruised rib, while De’Andre Hunter was also back on the court after recovering from a sore left foot. The Celtics, however, were without key players Al Horford, who is nursing a left toe sprain, and Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined for injury management. This led to Luke Kornet starting, and he made a noteworthy contribution with 17 points and seven rebounds over 31 minutes.
A notable moment in the match occurred during overtime when Tatum and Hunter were involved in a brief scuffle while vying for a rebound, requiring officials to step in. No technical fouls were issued, which was advantageous for Tatum, who had already received one earlier in the game.
Statistically, the Celtics have struggled recently, posting a record of 8-8 in their last 16 games. Looking ahead, the Hawks will face off against the New York Knicks on Monday, while the Celtics are set to start their West Coast trip against the Golden State Warriors the same day.
