The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a remarkable comeback victory against the NBA-leading Boston Celtics on Monday night. Trailing by a staggering 30 points, the Hawks rallied to secure a thrilling 120-118 win at State Farm Arena.
De'Andre Hunter led the charge for the Hawks with 24 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in the final seconds to seal the victory. Despite missing key players like Trae Young, the Hawks mounted an unexpected comeback against the formidable Celtics.
The turning point came in the second quarter when the Hawks closed out the half with a 9-0 run, cutting the deficit to 74-56. The momentum carried into the third quarter as Atlanta outscored Boston 19-4 to narrow the gap even further.
Several unsung heroes stepped up for the Hawks, with Vit Krejci scoring 16 points and Bruno Fernando adding 13. Wesley Matthews made a significant impact off the bench, hitting crucial shots to fuel the comeback.
Despite a stellar performance from Jayson Tatum, who scored 37 points for the Celtics, Boston couldn't hold off the resurgent Hawks. Jaylen Brown contributed 24 points in a losing effort for the Celtics.
The Celtics, who had won 20 of their last 22 games, were left stunned by the Hawks' resilience and determination. The victory marked one of the most improbable wins of the season for Atlanta.
With the win, the Hawks solidified their position in the play-in race in the Eastern Conference. They will look to build on this momentum as they face the Portland Trail Blazers in their next game.
Meanwhile, the Celtics will have a chance at redemption as they prepare for a rematch against the Hawks on Thursday after a strange scheduling quirk that sees them staying in Atlanta for an extended period.
Despite the odds stacked against them, the Hawks' historic comeback serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NBA and the resilience of underdog teams.
For more NBA coverage, visit AP NBA.
