Dejounte Murray ‘s sensational performance, capped by a career-high 44 points and a game-winning jumper in the final seconds of overtime, lifted the Atlanta Hawks to a narrow 123-122 win over the Boston Celtics during Thursday’s NBA action.
This marked the Hawks’ second victory over the top-seeded Celtics in just four days, hinting at a potentially challenging first-round playoff matchup for Boston.
“That’s a really good team,” acknowledged Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, highlighting the threat the Hawks pose.
The game reached its climax when Jaylen Brown‘s jumper gave Boston a one-point lead in overtime, only for Murray to respond with a decisive shot over Jrue Holiday, solidifying his role as a clutch performer.
“We want nothing more than Jrue Holiday on Murray at that point of the game,” Mazzulla said.
Supporting Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter delivered significant contributions, with Bogdanovic scoring 24 points and Hunter adding a double-double. This team effort propelled Atlanta to its fourth consecutive win, tying their longest winning streak of the season.
For Boston, Jayson Tatum led with 31 points and 13 rebounds, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown also making notable contributions. Despite the loss, the Celtics remain the top seed in the Eastern Conference, having already secured the No. 1 spot.
The Hawks, holding the final play-in spot in the East, could meet the Celtics again in the playoffs if they advance through the play-in tournament. Murray’s determination and the team’s recent performances underscore their competitive spirit.
“We’re not tanking,” Murray emphasized, “We’re trying to win games and see how high we can get.”
Both teams faced absences due to injuries, with key players on each side sidelined. The Hawks, in particular, have been navigating a depleted lineup but continue to show resilience and ambition.
This thrilling victory, alongside a fan’s halfcourt shot win at halftime, added to an eventful night for the Hawks, who look forward to hosting Milwaukee next. Meanwhile, the Celtics will seek to bounce back against New Orleans, continuing their road trip.
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