Jaylen Brown goes up for a dunk against Hawks center Clint Capela during the first half of the Celtics’ 113-103 win Sunday night in Boston. Steven Senne/Associated Press
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, Jaylen Brown had 21, and the injury-depleted NBA-best Boston Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-103 on Sunday night.
Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were sidelined for Boston (13-4) because of injuries. Holiday was out for the second straight game because of a sprained right ankle, and Porzingis strained his left calf in a loss at Orlando on Friday afternoon. Both were dressed in street clothes and on the bench.
“We’ve been playing eight for the majority of the season,” Boston Coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You have to to find moments to give guys opportunities, see what we can develop and give guys chances. That was a perfect opportunity when you have guys out.”
The Celtics started Dalano Banton at guard and he played nearly 19 minutes, scoring eight points.
Derrick White added 15 points and 11 assists for the Celtics, Sam Hauser scored 12 points, and Al Horford had 15 rebounds with six points. Tatum grabbed nine rebounds and Brown seven.
Trae Young paced the Hawks with 33 points and seven assists. He came in averaging 35.7 points in his last three games and made at least five 3-pointers in each. He continued that run by going 6 for 16 on 3-point attempts.
“I think his 3-point shooting is a big part of his game,” Hawks Coach Quin Snyder said. “He had a lot going on at the beginning of the season. He had a baby. He’s been really committed to running the team to where we’re attacking collectively. … He’s recognizing when he’s open and he’s not hesitating.”
De’Andre Hunter chipped in with 24 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 23 for Atlanta.
Boston never trailed and held a 14-point edge after a Hauser 3-pointer midway through the final quarter.
Brown, who scored all of his points in the opening half, hit the floor hard in the third quarter as he went after a loose ball, flipping out of control onto the back of Hunter, who tried to duck under him, before landing on his own back.
“The adrenaline is wearing off now and I can feel it,” Brown said. “I’m sore, but I’ll be alright.”
The Hawks trailed by 19 midway into the third quarter before Bogdanovic sparked a 13-0 run with two of his seven 3s.
Brown collected a long rebound off a miss by the Celtics, dribbled through traffic and jammed over Clint Capela to give the Celtics a 62-48 lead late in the second quarter, bringing a long, loud ovation.
Boston led 69-53 at halftime.
It was the first meeting of the teams since Boston eliminated the Hawks in six games in the opening round of the playoffs last spring.
Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla said that Porzingis will be evaluated “after a week or so.” He’s not expected to be out too long.
Young was whistled for a technical early in the first quarter but had 20 points in the first half.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
