Without the injured Neemias Queta, the Boston Celtics saw their three-game winning streak in Atlanta come to an end, falling (102-112) to the Hawks.
Without the Portuguese player, who has a minor injury to his right thumb, but also without Jayson Tatum, Ron Harper Jr., and Nikola Vucevic, the Celtics suffered only their second loss in the last nine games, a day after, against the Hornets, they achieved their 50th victory and secured their playoff spot for the 12th consecutive season, the current NBA record.
The Hawks, who had lost in Boston on Friday, relied on a dominant third quarter (36-22) to secure their 13th consecutive home win, in a game that was tied at halftime (54-54).
Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson were the stars of the game, both with double-doubles. Okongwu recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Johnson, who achieved his 45th double-double of the season, contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite trailing by 21 points, the Celtics didn’t give up and managed to reduce the deficit to just eight points in the final two minutes. However, Johnson and Alexander-Walker’s efficiency from the free-throw line, converting four shots in the final minute, sealed the result.
Brown was the Celtics’ top scorer with 29 points (but only 9 of 29 field goal attempts), adding 10 rebounds. Luka Garza, who replaced Neemias Queta in Boston’s starting five, totaled 20 points and nine rebounds.
