NBA Cup: Hawks catch Celtics in closing seconds for win
Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals to lead the visiting Atlanta Hawks to a 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in the first NBA Cup game for each team.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White scored season highs of 37 points and 31 points, respectively, for the Celtics. Brown was 7 of 12 from 3-point territory and 10 of 15 overall. White added six rebounds and five assists.
Article continues after this advertisementAtlanta took a 117-116 lead when Onyeka Okongwu tipped in a missed shot with 6.1 seconds to play. After each team turned the ball over in the final seconds, Brown missed a 13-foot jumper at the buzzer.
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The Hawks received a season-high 28 points to go with seven assists and six steals from Dyson Daniels. Clint Capela finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, and Larry Nance Jr. had 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Article continues after this advertisementJayson Tatum added 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists for Boston but was 5 of 16 from the floor.
Atlanta had a 20-6 edge in offensive rebounds, and Boston committed 20 turnovers.
The Hawks ended a two-game losing streak and improved their road record to 2-3. Boston dropped to 3-2 at home.
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The Hawks played without point guard Trae Young, who missed the game with right Achilles tendinitis. Young is averaging 23.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 11.5 assists and 1.3 steals per contest.
The Celtics led 31-29 after one quarter and extended the lead to double digits for the first time on a 3-pointer by Al Horford that made it 54-43 with 3:47 remaining in the first half. Boston led 65-54 at halftime.
A 3-pointer by White put the Celtics in front 75-60 with 8:32 to play in the third, but the Hawks were within four points, 88-84, after a layup by Daniels with 1:05 remaining in the quarter. Boston had a 91-84 lead entering the fourth.
Atlanta tied the game at 97 on a basket by Johnson with 7:21 to play. –Field Level Media