ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks responded emphatically to a recent road loss, defeating the Boston Celtics 112-102 Monday night at State Farm Arena and extending their impressive home win streak to 13 games. Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson each delivered dominant performances, leading the Hawks to victory.
Okongwu and Johnson both finished with 20 points apiece, anchoring a balanced Atlanta attack. Okongwu likewise secured 10 rebounds for a double-double, whereas Johnson added 12 rebounds to his 20 points, marking his 45th double-double of the season. The Hawks’ ability to control the boards and capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved crucial in securing the win.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, featuring 10 ties and nine lead changes. Neither team could establish a significant advantage, culminating in a 54-54 deadlock at halftime after a late three-pointer from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The momentum, however, shifted decisively in the third quarter.
Atlanta exploded for 36 points in the third quarter, outscoring Boston by a significant margin and building a 14-point lead heading into the final period. This surge was fueled by aggressive drives to the basket and sharp perimeter shooting, putting the Celtics on their heels. The Hawks’ defensive intensity also ramped up, forcing turnovers and disrupting Boston’s offensive rhythm.
Despite a late rally from the Celtics, who trimmed a 21-point deficit to within eight points in the final two minutes, the Hawks held firm. Johnson and Alexander-Walker sealed the victory with clutch free throws down the stretch, preventing Boston from completing the comeback.
The Celtics’ lineup looked different than in their previous matchup against Atlanta, with Jaylen Brown returning to the court after a two-game absence. However, Jayson Tatum was on the bench with injury management, a strategic decision that impacted Boston’s offensive firepower. Tatum had previously scored 26 points against the Hawks on Friday.
Brown led the Celtics with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Luka Garza contributed 20 points and nine rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Celtics struggled to contain Atlanta’s balanced attack and couldn’t overcome the Hawks’ strong performance on their home court.
The Hawks also welcomed back Dyson Daniels, Okongwu, and Jonathan Kuminga to the lineup after they missed Saturday’s game against the Kings. Daniels added 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, providing a significant boost off the bench.
This victory marks Atlanta’s longest home winning streak since 2015, solidifying their dominance at State Farm Arena. The Hawks’ success is a testament to their improved team chemistry, defensive commitment, and the emergence of young stars like Okongwu and Johnson.
Up Next: The Celtics will travel to Miami to face the Heat on Wednesday night. The Hawks will head to Orlando to seize on the Magic on the same night. Both teams will look to build on their recent performances as the NBA season progresses.
The Hawks’ ability to protect their home court will be a key factor as they push for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With a renewed sense of confidence and a commitment to team play, Atlanta is poised to make a strong push in the second half of the season.
