Celtics Fall to Hawks in NBA Cup Opener

The Boston Celtics suffered a shocking 117-116 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, squandering a 15-point lead in their NBA Cup opener. Despite strong performances from Jaylen Brown, who scored 37 points, and Derrick White with 31, the Celtics struggled with 20 turnovers and allowed 20 offensive rebounds, which the Hawks capitalized on for 18 second-chance points. The Hawks, missing key players including All-Star Trae Young, showcased resilience, with Onyeka Okongwu providing the game-winning basket. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged that his team was outplayed in every facet and that their carelessness contributed to the loss. This defeat ends Boston's two-game winning streak and raises concerns about their execution and discipline as they move forward in the season. The Celtics will look to regroup against the Cleveland Cavaliers next week as they aim to address their performance issues.