Despite holding a 30-point lead against the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics ended up losing the game in the closing stages. This led Jaylen Brown to provide a brutally honest assessment of their collapse during that match.
During that matchup, the Celtics squandered a 30-point lead, resulting in the Hawks claiming a 120-118 victory.
De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic led Atlanta’s offense with 24 and 22 points, while Dejounte Murray contributed 19 points and 15 assists against the Celtics’ highly-ranked defense, which ranks third in the NBA.
On the Celtics’ side, Jayson Tatum took on a significant offensive role, scoring 37 points while also grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out five assists. Jaylen Brown chipped in with 24 points, and Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points in their game against the Hawks.
Even though they lost, the Celtics still retained its hold on the top spot with a record of 57-15. Atlanta, on the other hand, is still in 10th place with 32 wins and 39 losses. As it stands, the Hawks are projected to participate in the Play-In Tournament while Boston has already secured a spot in the playoffs.
Jaylen Brown Gets Real After Boston Celtics Collapse Against Atlanta Hawks
After the game, Tatum expressed his frustration to reporters about letting the Hawks overcome their 30-point lead. Similarly, Brown shared the same sentiments when he addressed the media, as shown in a video that was posted.
Brown’s evaluation of their performance was accurate, considering the Celtics had a more talented roster facing a struggling Hawks team missing All-Star guard Trae Young.
Additionally, with their offense and defense ranked within the top five in the league, their loss to Atlanta was indeed more painful and unexpected.
As the regular season nears its end, every game against Boston becomes crucial for most NBA teams. The competition intensifies in the playoffs, and it’s essential for the Celtics to step up when that time arrives.
This heightened pressure will likely draw more attention to Brown and his team, with many eyes watching to see if they can handle it and potentially win the championship this year.