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In a showcase of pure dominance, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a resounding 123-93 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Tatum, with an impressive 28-point contribution, laid the groundwork for the Celtics’ third consecutive win.
Tatum’s First-Half Fireworks
Tatum, who scored a remarkable 26 of his 28 points in the initial half, was instrumental in securing the Celtics’ comfortable lead. His performance didn’t stop there – he also racked up nine assists and six rebounds before he was rested in the final quarter.
Challenges for the Hawks
On the Hawks side, it was a night of struggle. Trae Young, their star guard, was forced to exit the game during the third quarter due to a right rib strain. With a dismal 1 for 10 performance from the floor, Young only managed to contribute two points and six assists in his 23-minute playtime.
Celtics’ Supporting Cast Shines
The Celtics’ win wasn’t just about Tatum. Derrick White put up a strong performance with 21 points and six assists, while Payton Pritchard added 18 valuable points coming off the bench. This marked a notable turnaround for the Celtics who had lost both their previous encounters in Atlanta last season – one after squandering a 30-point lead, and another in overtime.
Jaylen Brown’s Absence Unfazed Celtics
Interestingly, the Celtics’ 16-game winning streak seems unaffected by the absence of Jaylen Brown, who has missed the last two games due to a left hip flexor strain.
Impressive Start for Celtics, Hawks’ Johnson Progresses
With a 7-1 record, the Celtics are off to their most promising start since the 2019-20 season. This impressive run includes a successful 3-1 four-game road trip, with the sole loss coming in overtime against Indiana. Meanwhile, despite the Hawks’ overall struggle, Jalen Johnson has shown steady progress with 20 points and 11 rebounds in this game, scoring over 20 points in four of his last five matches.
Game-Changing Moments and Stats
The Celtics managed to expand a seven-point lead to a whopping 22 points with a 19-4 run to end the second quarter, thanks to Tatum and White’s seven-point contributions each during the run. The Hawks found themselves trailing by no less than 19 points in the second half.
The Celtics also outperformed the Hawks from the 3-point line, scoring 18 3-pointers, including 15 in the first half. They outpaced the Hawks 54-18 from behind the arc. The Hawks, who entered the game with a league-worst 41.4% defense against 3-point shooting, were left exposed.
What’s Next?
Up next, the Celtics will be hosting the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, while the Hawks will welcome the New York Knicks.
