Atlanta Hawks punch Boston Celtics early, but fall 109-102 with 36 from Pritchard (PHOTOS)

After weathering a furious assault from the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter of the Boston Celtics 109-102 win at TD Garden this past Friday (March 27) evening, the Celtics prevailed in part via big games from Payton Pritchard (36 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and Jayson Tatum (26 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists).

The Celtics actually lost the shot margin battle 87-81 in an unusual outcome, but held the Hawks to 36 percent from beyond the arc and 39 percent from the floor overall while winning the battle of the boards 52-35. When one considers that Atlanta also blocked Boston 6-0 in a game with star forward Jaylen Brown on the bench with Achilles tendinitis, the outcome is actually an impressive one. With the win, the Celtics improve to 49-24 on the season while further cementing their status as the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 spot.

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays of the game captured in images.

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) shoots against Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) tries to gain control of the ball in front of Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) and forward Mouhamed Gueye (18) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) drives against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) guards Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives against Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots over Atlanta Hawks guard Gabe Vincent (4) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) tries to gain control of the ball during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Mar 27, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a play during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images