The Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to edge out the Boston Celtics 117-116 in a thrilling NBA Cup opener on Tuesday. With Trae Young sidelined due to Achilles tendinitis, Dyson Daniels stepped up, leading Atlanta with a career-high 28 points.
The game-winning play came in the final seconds as Onyeka Okongwu tipped in Daniels’ missed shot, sealing the victory for the Hawks and snapping their two-game losing streak.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 37 points, and Derrick White added 31. However, Brown’s missed jumper at the buzzer secured the narrow win for Atlanta.
The Celtics, who had previously dominated Atlanta 123-93 on November 4, saw their two-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 9-3 on the season. The loss came on a special in-season tournament night, with Boston playing on a custom parquet floor.
Daniels’ performance was a standout, as he also contributed seven assists, three rebounds, and six steals. Jalen Johnson played a key supporting role with a triple-double, adding 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. The duo’s efforts helped Atlanta stay competitive without their star player, Young, and highlighted their ability to adapt under pressure.
With this victory, the Hawks improved their record to 5-7 and gave Boston only its third loss of the season. Despite Young’s absence, Atlanta found offensive stability through Daniels and Johnson. Johnson’s efficient shooting (8-for-17) and Okongwu’s energy off the bench (15 points and six rebounds) were instrumental in Atlanta’s ability to sustain momentum late in the game.
The Celtics, who were without Kristaps Porzingis, received a solid contribution from Tatum, who added 20 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Tatum’s three-pointer attempt, however, failed to go down in a crucial moment, marking a missed opportunity for Boston to secure the lead.
