On Monday, Dejounte Murray led the Atlanta Hawks in a dramatic fightback, securing a 120-118 win over the Boston Celtics. Murray's versatility was key, as he posted 19 points and 15 assists to help his team recover from being down by 30. The tension peaked in the final minute when Murray scored a clutch basket to take the lead, followed by De’Andre Hunter’s three-pointer that extended the advantage to four with only 10 seconds remaining. Despite a last-second tip-in by Jayson Tatum, Atlanta successfully ran out the clock following a timeout to protect their lead.
Dejounte Murray produced a dramatic comeback for the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, guiding them to a 120-118 victory over the Boston Celtics. American shooting guard Murray’s all-around performance, which included 19 points and an amazing 15 assists, helped the team overcome a large 30-point deficit. With only one minute left, Murray clinched the deal with a clutch basket, putting the Hawks ahead. De’Andre Hunter responded with a clutch 3-pointer, extending Atlanta’s advantage to four points with barely 10 seconds remaining. Although Jayson Tatum scored on a tip-in for Boston with one second left, it was insufficient to derail Atlanta’s comeback triumph, as they effectively ran out the clock following a timeout.
This win stands as a historic milestone, as it's just the ninth time an NBA franchise has rallied from a 30-point deficit to win a game. Conversely, the defeat ended a strong nine-game winning streak for Boston and hampered their pursuit of the Eastern Conference's top seed.
Atlanta's victory was a testament to their resilience, as they fought back from a massive hole against a formidable Celtics squad. After trailing 68-38 in the second quarter, the Hawks fought back with an 18-6 run, narrowing the gap to 74-56 by halftime. They kept the pressure on in the third quarter, twice bringing the deficit down to just three points. This triumph was a collective effort: De’Andre Hunter topped the scoring with 24 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 22, and Vit Krejci played a pivotal role, matching his career-high of 16 points, fueled by four critical three-pointers.
Boston fought hard, led by a powerhouse performance from Jayson Tatum, who recorded 37 points and eight rebounds, with additional support from Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. However, they couldn't withstand Atlanta's momentum. The Celtics had dominated early on, exploiting a shorthanded Hawks lineup. Their efficiency was lethal in the first quarter, shooting 66.7% from the field to build a 44-22 lead—the worst first-quarter defensive showing for Atlanta all season.
The Hawks were missing several key players, including Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Saddiq Bey, and Onyeka Okongwu. Yet, their determination turned the game into one of the most memorable comebacks in recent NBA history. Atlanta is set to face the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow, March 28, at 5 AM at the State Farm Arena.