Despite their inconsistency Saturday night, the Celtics still had a chance to come away with a rocky yet significant win over the Hawks.
Instead, they watched a three-point lead with 20.1 seconds left disappear, which sent the game to overtime. In the extra period, the Celtics fell flat once again, suffering a 119-115 loss that will likely go down as one of the worst of the season.
Here are 10 takeaways:
1) It starts with the end of regulation.
When Jayson Tatum made a technical free throw with 20.1 seconds left in regulation, the Celtics found themselves up three with the finish line in sight. Jrue Holiday then tossed the ball out of bounds and fouled Trae Young on the ensuing play.
Young trimmed it to 1 with 9.1 seconds left, then Tatum missed a free throw and Holiday inexplicably fouled Young with 3.1 seconds left. Perhaps he thought the Celtics were up three, or perhaps he was just a little too aggressive. Either way, the miscue was enough to send it to overtime, as Tatum missed an off-balance jumper as time expired.
2) They couldn’t capitalize in overtime.
Once again, the Celtics found themselves in an ideal spot to prevail. Once again, the Hawks made more plays down the stretch. It wasn’t quite as egregious as the fourth quarter, but it was equally detrimental.
Tatum missed another deep two in the final seconds, allowing the Hawks to prevail. It’s a shot Tatum’s capable of making in the flow of the game, but one he often seems to miss when everything is on the line. An extra pass may have paid dividends.
3) Luke Kornet was everywhere, then didn’t play late.
Luke Kornet had a monster first half and ultimately finished the game with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks and 2 assists. He fared admirably with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford out and made his presence felt on both ends.
Then, down the stretch, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla elected to go with Neemias Queta in some of the game’s critical moments. There’s nothing wrong with Queta, and his length is certainly an asset, but Kornet did enough to earn those minutes late.
Kornet is just the 7th player in Celtic history to have at least 6 offensive rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks in a game (Bird, Parish, Sullinger, Pierce, Antoine, Rob Williams)
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) January 19, 2025
4) Payton Pritchard electrified the crowd.
Payton Pritchard, who poured in 20 points, made the crowd “ooh” and “aah” on a ridiculous dribble sequence and jumper in the first half. He helped the Celtics build a lead in the fourth, burying back-to-back 3’s.
The bigger the moment, the more likely Pritchard is to thrive. The TD Garden crowd responds to his intensity. He almost secured a huge steal late, but he couldn’t quite corral it.
5) It was a game of runs.
The Celtics led, 33-21, through one, then the Hawks used a 31-15 second quarter to build a 52-48 halftime lead. Tatum came alive to give Boston a 78-73 cushion through three, then the lead swelled to 10 early in the fourth before the Celtics collapsed.
Basketball is a game of runs, and the Hawks are a talented team, but it would behoove the Celtics to play with more consistency moving forward.
6) The hustle plays dwindled.
In the first quarter, the Celtics gobbled up offensive rebounds and hustled to secure 50/50 balls.
As the game progressed, momentum shifted Atlanta’s way in that regard. It seemed like every break that could have gone the Hawks’ way did.
7) A mini brouhaha unfolded in overtime.
Early in overtime, Tatum and Onyeka Okongwu got tangled up near the rim. Tensions flared, and Mazzulla enthusiastically rushed onto the court, clapping his hands in approval.
It ended up amounting to nothing, but it encapsulated how the game became more and more intense as it progressed. While Boston certainly let one get away, Atlanta deserves credit for capitalizing.
8) Jaylen Brown was up and down.
Jaylen Brown (24 points) was lethal in the first quarter, fizzled as the game progressed, then hit a big shot late in regulation to give Boston a two-point lead.
His inconsistency mirrored that of the team. Brown finished 9 for 27, while Tatum was 7 for 21, Derrick White 7 for 20 and Sam Hauser 0 for 7.
Late in the game, Brown went airborne and appeared to slam his head on the floor.
9) Trae Young came alive.
The Celtics held Young to two points in the first quarter, and he missed some shots he usually makes, but he didn’t get discouraged.
Young is a truly elite passer and truly elite shooter, and he showcased both skills Saturday night. He had success exploiting the Celtics in the pick and roll, driving down the middle and reading the defense from inside the free-throw line.
10) It was a bad loss, but they have to quickly put it behind them.
The Celtics let this one get away. They know it, the Hawks know it and the fans know it.
As demoralizing as it was, they can’t dwell on it for long. Another difficult West Coast trip starts Monday against the Warriors, and there’s no time like the present to regain their mojo.
