Jayson Tatum set his season high in the Celtics 109-102 win over the Hawks on Friday night with 6 points. After a rough first half, Tatum really settled in during the 2nd half with 21 points and 5 rebounds on 6/13 from the field. However, it was Payton Pritchard who led team in scoring with 36 points.
Jaylen Brown joined Nikola Vucevic on the Celtics injury report. Baylor Scheierman replaced Brown in the starting 5 with Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta. Just Jock Landale missed
the game for Atlanta. The Hawks started CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, a group that has led them on a big winning streak as of late.
It was a slow start for the Celtics and a fast one for the Hawks. The Hawks starting 5 has been among the best in the league since they went to it and that was the case at the start of this one. They got off to a 16-7 lead over Boston.
Jordan Walsh took Jaylen’s spot in the rotation, it was his first action since March 12 agains the Thunder.
Jordan Walsh will return to the rotation with Jaylen out. He last played in OKC on 3/12.
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) March 27, 2026
It was a 25-9 start for the Hawks but the Celtics outscored the Hawks 17-4 to end the quarter. The Hawks led 29-26 at the end of 1. Payton Pritchard led the team with 7 points with Jayson Tatum had 5 of his own.
The Hawks got off to a quick start in the quarter, taking a 37-28 lead but 9 straight Celtics points, 5 of which came from Payton Pritchard who got off of to a scorching hot start.
The Celtics took the lead at 46-43 but a 13-4 Hawks run put Atlanta up, 56-50. The Hawks defense did a big part of the run, doing a good job of holding the Celtics offense down.
Basketball is the game of runs and the first half was the half of runs. The Hawks led, 60-55 at the end of the 2nd quarter. Pritchard led the C’s with 19 points while Sam Hauser had 7.
It was a tough half from the field for Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
Tatum/Derrick: 4-18 (1-4) 3 TOs -17
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) March 28, 2026
Don't see that a lot
Payton Pritchard was a huge reason as to why the Celtics stayed in the game. He gave them a 69-68 lead in the middle of the third quarter after back to back deep threes.
Payton Pritchard is unreal
— NikNBA🏀 (@NIKNBAYT) March 28, 2026
Comes off the bench after the timeout and hits 2 straight threes to hit 25 points early in the third quarter
Timeout ATL pic.twitter.com/SBFloPl9Zj
The Celtics led at the end of three quarters, 87-82 as Pritchard was the leading scorer with 30 points. Jayson Tatum had 13 points with 8 on 3/5 shooting coming in the third quarter.
I thought the 2nd half was an awesome Tatum half, he was very good in 3rd quarter and it carried over to the 4th. He was getting to the cup, finishing strong, making the right passes and rebounding the ball.
Then, he finally hit the setback three.
I’m thinking Jayson Tatum is back pic.twitter.com/TdCGclz7ty
— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) March 28, 2026
Celtics got a bunch of offensive rebounds late in the game, 4 fourth quarter offensive rebounds gave the Celtics extra opportunities. Including a big one from Payton Pritchard who kicked the ball out to Tatum and was fouled on a three point shot.
The Hawks just did not have enough to keep up with Boston, even without Jaylen Brown. Boston beat Atlanta, 109-102.
Payton Pritchard led the team with 36 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists while Jayson Tatum had a season high 26 points. Luka Garza, Derrick White and Sam Hauser also scored in double figures.
The Celtics shot 47% from the field and 40% from three while Atlanta shot 39% from the field and 36% from three. The Celtics next game is Sunday in Charlotte against the Hornets at 6 EST.
