NBA

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics

· National Basketball Association
29-32, 11-19 Away
Final
98 - 107

37-27, 21-11 Home

Tatum scores 33 to help Celtics push past Hawks 107-98

Derrick White and Grant Williams each added 18 points off the bench. Marcus Smart finished with 16 points and four assists.

Boston has won 10 of its last 12 and three of four since the All-Star break.

The Celtics played the final three quarters without starter Jaylen Brown, who left the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury. Being able to recover from Brown's injury taught the team a lot, Smart said.

“It just shows, that if we continue to come out like this, this is the team that we are. This is the identity that we have. It's going to be hard for teams,” he said.

Trae Young had 31 points. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 25 for the Hawks, who have lost two of three.

“They came out aggressive, ready to attack and I thought we got back on our heels,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “We just settled for the long ball. We didn't attack.”

Atlanta led by as many as 17 points in the first half before that cushion evaporated in a 14-0 run by Boston to open the third quarter.

The Hawks shot selection didn't help, going 7 of 31 from 3-point range in the game.

“I think we kind of bailed them out and let them off the hook taking some shots and obviously not attacking like we did in the first half,” Young said.

The Celtics seized on it and kept their momentum going, outscoring the Hawks 31-13 in the period to take a 82-78 edge in the fourth.

The surge was keyed by Boston's defense, which held Young to just nine points after halftime. The increased intensity was a response to a plea by coach Ime Udoka at halftime for his team to be more physical.

“It’s part of us. It’s part of me. It’s something that when we’re being physical, it helps us on the defensive end. But also on the offensive end,” Smart said.

Boston’s lead grew to 102-88 with 3:11 left in the game following back-to-back 3-pointers by Williams. Both baskets were set up by defensive plays by Smart. First, he chased down De'Andre Hunter on a fast break and came up with a block from behind. Then, he stepped in front of an errant pass by Bogdanovic to start another Celtics' sprint out.

The plays were examples of how they want to play, Smart said.

The Celtics entered the game at full strength for the first time in weeks, but that changed in the first quarter when Brown left with a right ankle sprain after taking an awkward fall during a drive into the lane.

He grabbed at his right leg as he toppled to the ground, but was able to walk to the locker room on his own power. Udoka said he was able to move around on the ankle in the locker room, but he is day to day.

TIP-INS

Hawks: Shot 14 of 20 (70%) from the field in the second quarter. … Weren’t whistled for their first foul until the 11:08 mark of the second quarter. … Closed the first period on a 17-5 run.

Celtics: White went 4 for 4 and scored nine points in the final 3:55 of the third quarter. … Had 10 turnovers in the first half, leading to 10 Atlanta points.

SORE BUT OK

The Hawks got their own injury scare in the first quarter when Smart was issued a Flagrant 1 technical after sliding into Young’s landing area on a 3-point attempt. Young suffered a left ankle sprain on the play, but was able to shoot his free throws before heading to the locker room. He returned with 6:20 left in the second quarter.

Young said his ankle stiffened up some throughout the game, but he doesn't think it will be a serious issue going forward.

“As long as I keep it loose in the next couple of days, hopefully I can keep it going,” he said.

UP NEXT

Hawks: Host Bulls on Thursday.

Celtics: Host Grizzlies on Thursday.

Regular Season Series

Series tied 2-2

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 98 - 107
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 98 - 107
4th 11.4 shot clock turnover 98 - 107
4th 35.4 Danilo Gallinari makes 3-foot dunk (Trae Young assists) 98 - 107
4th 41.1 De'Andre Hunter offensive rebound 96 - 107

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/atl.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originATL https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/bos.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originBOS
36-83 FG 39-83
43.4 Field Goal % 47.0
7-31 3PT 11-35
22.6 Three Point % 31.4
19-24 FT 18-19
79.2 Free Throw % 94.7
37 Rebounds 47
5 Offensive Rebounds 11
32 Defensive Rebounds 36
15 Assists 27
8 Steals 4
4 Blocks 8
9 Turnovers 12
1 Team Turnovers 2
10 Total Turnovers 14
0 Technical Fouls 0
0 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 1
12 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 15
17 Fast Break Points 6
38 Points in Paint 46
20 Fouls 20
17 Largest Lead 14
Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Amari Williams, C Out Jul 14
Jayson Tatum, SF Out Jul 3
Anfernee Simons, SG Day-To-Day Jul 3
Jaylen Brown, SG Day-To-Day Jul 3
Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jacob Toppin, F Day-To-Day Jul 14
Eli John N'Diaye, C Out Jul 14
Jalen Johnson, SF Day-To-Day Jul 3

Game Information

TD Garden

Location: Boston, MA
Attendance: 19,156 · Capacity:

2024-25 Southeast Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Orlando 41 41 .500 - L1
Atlanta 40 42 .488 1 W3
Miami 37 45 .451 4 L1
Charlotte 19 63 .232 22 L7
Washington 18 64 .220 23 W1

2024-25 Atlantic Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Boston 61 21 .744 - W2
New York 51 31 .622 10 W1
Toronto 30 52 .366 31 L2
Brooklyn 26 56 .317 35 L3
Philadelphia 24 58 .293 37 L2
Full Standings

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