**Hawks Beat Celtics 117-116, Okongwu Hits Game-Winner**

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Post on Nov 13, 2024

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Hawks Soar Past Celtics in Thrilling Finish, Okongwu's Buzzer-Beater Secures 117-116 Victory

The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a stunning victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, escaping TD Garden with a 117-116 win thanks to a last-second heroics from Onyeka Okongwu. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout, ultimately culminating in a dramatic and thrilling finish.

A Tightly Contested Battle

The first half saw both teams exchange leads, with the Celtics holding a slight advantage going into the break. Jayson Tatum led the charge for Boston, displaying his trademark scoring prowess with 18 points in the first two quarters. The Hawks, meanwhile, relied on the scoring contributions of Trae Young and De'Andre Hunter, who combined for 24 points before halftime.

The second half saw the intensity ramp up, with neither team willing to give an inch. The Celtics maintained a small lead throughout most of the third quarter, but the Hawks refused to go away. John Collins emerged as a crucial factor for Atlanta, consistently finding his way to the basket and drawing fouls.

The final quarter saw the game go down to the wire. The Celtics, fueled by Tatum's continued scoring spree and Jaylen Brown's contributions, found themselves up by 4 points with just under a minute remaining. However, the Hawks refused to fold. Bogdan Bogdanovic hit a crucial three-pointer, and after a series of free throws, the Hawks managed to tie the game at 116 with 12 seconds left on the clock.

Okongwu Emerges as the Hero

With the game hanging in the balance, the Hawks inbounded the ball to Young. He drove to the basket, but the Celtics defense forced him to kick the ball out to the perimeter. The ball found its way to Okongwu, who had set up a screen on Tatum. With the clock ticking down, Okongwu, a big man known for his defensive prowess, confidently stepped back and launched a game-winning jumper from just outside the paint, securing the victory for Atlanta.

Key Takeaways

• Okongwu's clutch performance: While Young and Hunter led the Hawks' scoring, Okongwu's game-winning shot was the defining moment of the night. His ability to step up in a high-pressure situation showcased his potential to be a reliable contributor for Atlanta moving forward.
• Tatum's scoring dominance: Tatum delivered another impressive performance, putting up 34 points and leading the Celtics in scoring. However, his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Okongwu's heroics.
• The importance of clutch play: The game went down to the wire, emphasizing the value of composure and execution in the final minutes. Both teams had opportunities to win, but ultimately the Hawks proved to be the more resilient squad.

This victory will undoubtedly boost the Hawks' morale as they continue their journey through the season. The team will hope to build on this momentum as they face their next opponent. As for the Celtics, they'll need to bounce back from this heartbreaker and regroup for their next challenge. This matchup proved that even in defeat, there's always something to be learned, especially when the stakes are high.