Hawks Edge Celtics in Thrilling 117-116 Comeback Victory

In a stunning upset, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Boston Celtics 117-116 at TD Garden on Wednesday night, winning their opening matchup of pool play in Group C of the NBA Cup. Overcoming a 15-point deficit in the second half, the Hawks rallied without their star guard, Trae Young, who was sidelined with Achilles tendinitis. The Celtics entered as clear favorites, but Atlanta’s gritty determination, led by standout performances from Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, propelled them to an impressive road victory.

Missing several key players, the Hawks faced an uphill battle but showed remarkable resilience, especially in the second half. Their dominance on the boards, particularly with 20 offensive rebounds, fueled their comeback and allowed them to capitalize on second-chance points. Additionally, they forced the Celtics into 20 turnovers, further limiting Boston’s opportunities and gaining 25 more shot attempts.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White led the charge for the Celtics. Brown scored 37 points but committed six costly turnovers, which became pivotal in the game’s outcome. White added 31 points and helped keep Boston competitive, but the team’s struggles with rebounding and defense in key moments ultimately hindered them. Despite a slight edge in field goal percentage and three-point shooting, the Celtics couldn’t overcome their ball-handling and rebounding issues.

Jalen Johnson starred for the Hawks, recording an impressive triple-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, stepping up in Young’s absence. Dyson Daniels also delivered a career-high 28 points, along with six steals, showcasing his defensive impact. Onyeka Okongwu provided the game’s defining moment with a putback in the final seconds, sealing the Hawks’ win.

The Hawks’ victory marks a major morale boost, particularly as they went up against the defending champions on their home court. Discussions across social media highlighted Atlanta’s unexpected resilience and the Celtics’ need to tighten their defense and address turnover issues. This loss now puts Boston in a challenging position in the NBA Cup group stage, where they’ll need to win out to keep their advancement hopes alive.

The Hawks will look to build on this momentum as they host the Washington Wizards (2-7) on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 PM ET, while the Wizards aim to break their three-game road losing streak.