Celtics Suffer Stunning Collapse Against Hawks Despite Early Dominance

The Boston Celtics, freshly crowned as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, endured a heart-wrenching defeat against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, tarnishing their celebratory mood. Despite initially commanding a commanding lead of up to 30 points in the second quarter, the Celtics succumbed to a remarkable comeback by the Hawks, ultimately losing in a thrilling 120-118 encounter.

Leading the charge for the shorthanded Celtics was Jayson Tatum, who assumed the role of nominal point guard and delivered an impressive 37-point performance. Jaylen Brown contributed 24 points, albeit struggling with efficiency throughout the game. Supporting the offensive effort were Kristaps Porzingis and Payton Pritchard, combining for 32 points. Conversely, the Hawks exhibited a balanced scoring attack, with all five starters notching double-digit points, complemented by Bruno Fernando’s 13 points off the bench.

The Celtics, accustomed to playing shorthanded this season, faced a unique challenge in this matchup. With key players like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White sidelined due to injuries, coach Joe Mazzulla implemented an unconventional starting lineup with no nominal guards. Despite this, Boston dominated the early stages of the game, establishing a formidable lead fueled by stellar performances from Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter, as the Hawks launched a remarkable comeback, outscoring the Celtics and narrowing the deficit to within striking distance. Although Boston managed to momentarily regain control with a timely run, the Hawks persisted, ultimately seizing the lead in the fourth quarter and securing a hard-fought victory.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Celtics are poised for redemption as they prepare for a rematch against the Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. With their sights set on bouncing back, Boston looks to rectify their mistakes and reclaim victory in their upcoming showdown on Thursday.