Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser powered an offensive avalanche that ended the game by halftime.
There was nothing subtle about this one.
The Boston Celtics didn’t ease their way into Saturday night at State Farm Arena - they detonated.
Behind a historic second quarter and overwhelming shot-making, Boston buried the Atlanta Hawks early and coasted to a 132-106 win that was effectively decided before halftime.
Boston’s 52-point second quarter turned a competitive first frame into a rout, as the Celtics poured in 82 points in the first half - the fourth-most in franchise history.
The win pushed the Celtics to 26-15 on the season, while the Atlanta Hawks fell to 20-24 and dropped their third straight.
Even without Payton Pritchard (left ankle soreness), Boston’s depth and firepower overwhelmed an Atlanta team that never mounted a meaningful response.
Since we’re talking injuries, it should be noted that Hawks big man Kristaps Porzingis was sidelined again due to left Achilles tendinitis, missing his chance for a reunion game with his former team. He’ll get another chance to play Boston in just nine days, as Atlanta heads to TD Garden on January 28.
Jaylen Brown finished with 41 points and 6 rebounds, while Sam Hauser erupted for 30 points in one of the best shooting performances of his career. Atlanta’s comeback attempt never materialized, and Boston’s advantage ballooned to as many as 43 points.
Here are four takeaways from the Celtics’ dominant win in Atlanta:
1. A Tone-Setter for Jaylen in his Hometown:
From the opening tip, this was Brown’s night.
Fresh off having his high school jersey retired the night before, Brown attacked with purpose and confidence, scoring 18 points in the first quarter alone. By halftime, he had already piled up 29 points as Boston raced out of reach.
Brown’s final line - 41 points, 6 rebounds - reflected more than just hot shooting. He dictated the pace, punished mismatches, and made sure there was no letdown following Boston’s comeback win in Miami earlier in the week.
In games where Boston needs an emotional and competitive edge, Brown continues to provide it.
Jan 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)2. Second Quarter Avalanche:
Atlanta didn’t necessarily collapse. Boston simply buried them.
The Celtics’ 52-point second quarter was a masterclass in offensive rhythm.
Ball movement was crisp, shooters were in sync, and nearly every look felt clean. Boston finished the night 22 for 52 from three-point range, but the damage was largely done before halftime.
Atlanta had no defensive answers, whether in transition, on kick-outs, or when trying to switch.
Once the Celtics saw the ball go in consistently, the outcome was inevitable.
3. Hauser Nearly Made History:
Hauser’s season-long shooting surge continued, and nearly entered the record books.
The Celtics wing caught fire in the first half, hitting 7 of 8 three-pointers before the break and finishing the night 10 for 21 from deep.
He flirted with Marcus Smart’s franchise record of 11 made threes in a game before missing six straight attempts late.
Even without the record, the performance was another reminder of Hauser’s value.
His confidence is fully restored, his volume has increased, and his shooting gravity continues to open the floor for Boston’s stars.
Jan 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)4. Flexibility Continues Paying Dividends:
With Pritchard out for the first time this season, Baylor Scheierman got the start - not Anfernee Simons.
That decision spoke volumes.
Boston continues to deploy Simons as a bench weapon, mirroring how Pritchard was used during his Sixth Man of the Year campaign last season.
Simons rewarded that trust with 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting, providing steady offense without disrupting rotation balance.
It’s another example of Boston’s ability to adjust on the fly without sacrificing identity.
The Celtics will now close out their four-game road trip Monday night against the Pistons (30-10), a matchup between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference.
With the season series still in play, it shapes up as both a measuring stick, as well as a potential playoff preview.
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.