Hawks Vs Celtics: Celtics Rally Past Hot Hawks 109-102
In Boston on March 27, 2026 (ET), hawks vs celtics ended with the Celtics defeating the Hawks 109-102; Payton Pritchard scored 36 points off the bench and Jayson Tatum added 26 points and 12 rebounds. Atlanta came in with a dominant post–All-Star stretch but saw its three-game streak snapped as its shooting faded late. Jaylen Brown was ruled out with Achilles tendinitis, and Boston improved to 7-1 without its leading scorer.
Hawks Vs Celtics — Turning Points and Stat Lines
The game tilted after a ragged start for Boston: Atlanta raced to a 25-9 lead in the first quarter before Boston, sparked by Pritchard, surged back. Boston hit seven straight 3-pointers in the second quarter, yet Atlanta led 60-55 at halftime. Jalen Johnson paced the Hawks with 29 points, CJ McCollum had 21 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20, but Atlanta’s shooting slumped in the second half, finishing 39% from the field. Tatum missed 16 of 24 shots overall, but a spinning drive to the rim created separation and gave Boston a 97-86 lead with 7: 29 remaining. After being fouled on a 3-point attempt late, Tatum made three free throws that pushed the margin to 107-99 with about a minute left, sealing the outcome.
Immediate Reactions and Quick Context
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, head coach of the Celtics, said “he was day to day” when asked about Jaylen Brown’s status. Payton Pritchard’s 36 off the bench was the decisive spark for Boston, and the Celtics’ comeback featured a dramatic second quarter run beyond the arc. Atlanta entered the night 15-2 since the All-Star break and had won 14 of 15 before this loss, the best stretch in the Eastern Conference coming in; the defeat halted that surge. The Celtics, meanwhile, have now gone 7-1 in games without Brown this season.
What’s Next
Looking ahead as of March 27, 2026 (ET), the Hawks will host Sacramento on Saturday night and the Celtics travel to face Charlotte on Sunday. The hawks vs celtics matchup on Friday resets momentum for both teams: Atlanta must reestablish offensive consistency after a 39% shooting night, while Boston will monitor Brown’s condition and ride the bench production that delivered a key road test victory.
