Hawks Snap Celtics’ Streak With Commanding Road Win

All eyes were on TD Garden on January 28, 2026, as the Atlanta Hawks rolled into Boston looking to extend their impressive win streak. The Celtics, boasting a strong 29-17 record, had the home-court advantage and a recent blowout win over Atlanta to their name. Yet, the Hawks were anything but ready to roll over, and what unfolded was a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats—and, for many, left jaws on the floor.

Coming into the matchup, the Celtics had been pegged as 6.5-point favorites by oddsmakers, with the over/under set at a hefty 230.5 points. Boston had been the favorite in 32 games this season, winning 22 of those, while Atlanta, as underdogs in 25 contests, had pulled off 12 victories. The Celtics led the head-to-head series 1-0, having routed the Hawks 132-106 earlier in January. That night, Jaylen Brown erupted for 41 points, setting the bar high for what was expected to be another dominant performance from the All-Star swingman.

But basketball, as always, is a game of adjustments and momentum. The Hawks, entering the game on a three-game win streak and fighting for a playoff spot as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, were hungry for revenge. Their latest outing, a 132-116 win over the Indiana Pacers, showcased their depth and versatility. CJ McCollum, a recent addition, led the charge off the bench with 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Dyson Daniels (22 points, nine assists, five rebounds) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (21 points, three steals, one block) fueled the team’s up-tempo attack. Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu rounded out the starting five’s contributions, combining for 27 points and 20 boards.

Boston, meanwhile, had been riding a wave of solid play, winning three of their last five games since the previous Hawks matchup. The Celtics’ most recent victory—a 102-94 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers—saw Payton Pritchard step up with 23 points and a game-high plus-23 rating. Jaylen Brown chipped in 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Derrick White added 18 points and Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons provided crucial bench minutes. However, the Celtics were forced to navigate the contest without Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Neemias Queta (Illness), thinning their frontcourt rotation and putting more pressure on Brown and White to deliver.

From the opening tip, it was clear the Hawks had come to play. Atlanta built an early lead and never looked back, holding a double-digit advantage for much of the night. The Celtics struggled to contain the Hawks’ perimeter shooting, as Atlanta drilled 18-of-42 attempts from beyond the arc—a sizzling 43 percent clip. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led all Hawks scorers with 21 points, going 5-of-12 from three, while Jalen Johnson added 19 points, and every Hawks starter finished in double figures. The ball movement was crisp, the energy relentless, and the Celtics’ defense simply couldn’t keep up.

On the other side, Jaylen Brown did his best to keep Boston afloat, finishing with a team-high 21 points. Payton Pritchard, who had been so effective in recent games, found the going tougher against Atlanta’s aggressive defense. Derrick White and Anfernee Simons contributed, but the Celtics’ offense never found its rhythm, bogged down by turnovers and cold spells from deep. Boston’s usually reliable defense allowed 117 points, well above their season average of 109.9 points allowed per game, and their own output of 106 fell short of their 116.6 points per contest mark.

“We just didn’t get enough stops. They shot the ball really well from outside and we couldn’t string together enough runs to close the gap,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla after the game, echoing the frustration felt by the home crowd. The Celtics’ inability to cover the spread extended their streak to four straight games without beating the odds as favorites, a concerning trend for a team with championship aspirations.

For Atlanta, the win marked their fourth straight and served notice to the rest of the East that this squad, even without Trae Young, is not to be taken lightly. Their balanced attack and newfound confidence have propelled them up the standings and solidified their place in the play-in tournament conversation. “We knew we owed them one after what happened last time,” said Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who has emerged as a key contributor in recent weeks. “Everyone stepped up tonight. We moved the ball, hit shots, and played with a chip on our shoulder.”

The Hawks’ recent surge has been powered by a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent. Jalen Johnson’s all-around game (averaging 23 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game coming into the night) gives Atlanta a versatile weapon on both ends, while Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels have provided interior toughness and playmaking. CJ McCollum’s arrival has added a scoring punch off the bench, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s shooting has stretched defenses thin.

Boston, now 29-18 after the loss, has dropped two of their last three games. They’ll look to regroup quickly, with a home date against the Sacramento Kings looming on January 30. The Celtics remain in the thick of the Atlantic Division race, but recent injuries and inconsistent play have raised questions about their depth and resilience. Jaylen Brown continues to shine, but the team will need more consistent contributions from the supporting cast if they hope to keep pace in a brutally competitive Eastern Conference.

For fans who missed the live action, the game was broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast and NBC Sports Boston, with streaming options available via FuboTV and DIRECTV’s free trials. Those in attendance witnessed a Hawks team playing with heart and purpose, and a Celtics squad left searching for answers as the season grinds toward the All-Star break.

As the final buzzer sounded on a 117-106 Hawks victory, Atlanta’s players celebrated a hard-earned road win that keeps their postseason hopes alive. Boston, meanwhile, will need to regroup and refocus, knowing that every game from here on out carries added weight in the playoff chase. The Eastern Conference battle is far from over, and if this matchup proved anything, it’s that on any given night, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA.