Regardless of their inconsistency Saturday night time, the Celtics nonetheless had an opportunity to return away with a rocky but vital win over the Hawks.
As an alternative, they watched a three-point lead with 20.1 seconds left disappear, which despatched the sport to time beyond regulation. Within the further interval, the Celtics fell flat as soon as once more, struggling a 119-115 loss that can doubtless go down as one of many worst of the season.
Listed here are 10 takeaways:
1) It begins with the top of regulation.
When Jayson Tatum made a technical free throw with 20.1 seconds left in regulation, the Celtics discovered themselves up three with the end line in sight. Jrue Vacation then tossed the ball out of bounds and fouled Trae Younger on the following play.
Younger trimmed it to 1 with 9.1 seconds left, then Tatum missed a free throw and Vacation inexplicably fouled Younger with 3.1 seconds left. Maybe he thought the Celtics had been up three, or maybe he was just a bit too aggressive. Both approach, the miscue was sufficient to ship it to time beyond regulation, as Tatum missed an off-balance jumper as time expired.
2) They couldn’t capitalize in time beyond regulation.
As soon as once more, the Celtics discovered themselves in a really perfect spot to prevail. As soon as once more, the Hawks made extra performs down the stretch. It wasn’t fairly as egregious because the fourth quarter, but it surely was equally detrimental.
Tatum missed one other deep two within the last seconds, permitting the Hawks to prevail. It’s a shot Tatum’s able to making within the circulate of the sport, however one he typically appears to overlook when all the pieces is on the road. An additional cross might have paid dividends.
3) Luke Kornet was all over the place, then didn’t play late.
Luke Kornet had a monster first half and in the end completed the sport with 17 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks and a pair of assists. He fared admirably with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford out and made his presence felt on each ends.
Then, down the stretch, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla elected to go together with Neemias Queta in a few of the sport’s crucial moments. There’s nothing fallacious with Queta, and his size is definitely an asset, however Kornet did sufficient to earn these minutes late.
Kornet is simply the seventh participant in Celtic historical past to have at the very least 6 offensive rebounds, 4 steals and a pair of blocks in a sport (Hen, Parish, Sullinger, Pierce, Antoine, Rob Williams)
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) January 19, 2025
4) Payton Pritchard electrified the gang.
Payton Pritchard, who poured in 20 factors, made the gang “ooh” and “aah” on a ridiculous dribble sequence and jumper within the first half. He helped the Celtics construct a lead within the fourth, burying back-to-back 3’s.
The larger the second, the extra doubtless Pritchard is to thrive. The TD Backyard crowd responds to his depth. He nearly secured an enormous steal late, however he couldn’t fairly corral it.
5) It was a sport of runs.
The Celtics led, 33-21, via one, then the Hawks used a 31-15 second quarter to construct a 52-48 halftime lead. Tatum got here alive to present Boston a 78-73 cushion via three, then the lead swelled to 10 early within the fourth earlier than the Celtics collapsed.
Basketball is a sport of runs, and the Hawks are a gifted crew, however it will behoove the Celtics to play with extra consistency transferring ahead.
6) The hustle performs dwindled.
Within the first quarter, the Celtics devoured up offensive rebounds and hustled to safe 50/50 balls.
As the sport progressed, momentum shifted Atlanta’s approach in that regard. It appeared like each break that might have gone the Hawks’ approach did.
7) A mini brouhaha unfolded in time beyond regulation.
Early in time beyond regulation, Tatum and Onyeka Okongwu bought snarled close to the rim. Tensions flared, and Mazzulla enthusiastically rushed onto the courtroom, clapping his palms in approval.
It ended up amounting to nothing, but it surely encapsulated how the sport turned an increasing number of intense because it progressed. Whereas Boston definitely let one get away, Atlanta deserves credit score for capitalizing.
8) Jaylen Brown was up and down.
Jaylen Brown (24 factors) was deadly within the first quarter, fizzled as the sport progressed, then hit an enormous shot late in regulation to present Boston a two-point lead.
His inconsistency mirrored that of the crew. Brown completed 9 for 27, whereas Tatum was 7 for 21, Derrick White 7 for 20 and Sam Hauser 0 for 7.
Late within the sport, Brown went airborne and appeared to slam his head on the ground.
9) Trae Younger got here alive.
The Celtics held Younger to 2 factors within the first quarter, and he missed some photographs he often makes, however he didn’t get discouraged.
Younger is a really elite passer and really elite shooter, and he showcased each expertise Saturday night time. He had success exploiting the Celtics within the choose and roll, driving down the center and studying the protection from contained in the free-throw line.
10) It was a foul loss, however they need to shortly put it behind them.
The Celtics let this one get away. They understand it, the Hawks understand it and the followers understand it.
As demoralizing because it was, they will’t dwell on it for lengthy. One other tough West Coast journey begins Monday in opposition to the Warriors, and there’s no time like the current to regain their mojo.
