Payton Pritchard's 36 Points Lead Celtics to Win Over Hawks

Celtics guard steps up with Jaylen Brown sidelined, while Jayson Tatum also contributes in the victory.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:09am

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In a matchup between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams, the Boston Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks 109-102 behind a career-high 36 points from guard Payton Pritchard. With Jaylen Brown out due to injury, Pritchard stepped up and carried the Celtics' offense, scoring 19 points in the first half and 13 more in the third quarter to help Boston pull away. Jayson Tatum also had a strong game, scoring 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Rookie Jordan Walsh also made an impact off the bench for the Celtics with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks in 27 minutes of action.

Why it matters

This win is an important one for the Celtics as they continue to jockey for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. With Brown sidelined, Pritchard's breakout performance shows the depth and versatility of Boston's roster, and the team's ability to win against tough opponents even when a key player is out. The Celtics' ability to get contributions from multiple players is a positive sign as they gear up for the postseason.

The details

Payton Pritchard was the driving force for the Celtics, scoring a career-high 36 points on 13-23 shooting, including 7 points in the first quarter and 12 more in the second to keep Boston within striking distance of the Hawks. Jayson Tatum overcame a slow start to score 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Rookie Jordan Walsh also provided a spark off the bench with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks in 27 minutes of action.

  • Pritchard scored 7 points in the first quarter to bring the Celtics within 3 points at the end of the period.
  • Pritchard scored 12 more points in the second quarter to help the Celtics keep pace with the Hawks.
  • Pritchard scored 13 points in the third quarter to put the Celtics in position to win the game.

The players

Payton Pritchard

A third-year guard for the Boston Celtics who had a career-high 36 points in the win over the Hawks.

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward who scored 26 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, to help secure the victory.

Jordan Walsh

A rookie forward for the Celtics who provided energy and production off the bench with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks.

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What’s next

The Celtics will look to build on this win as they continue their push for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Their next game is against the Miami Heat on April 2nd.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and versatility of the Celtics' roster, as Payton Pritchard stepped up with a career-high performance to lead the team to victory in the absence of Jaylen Brown. The contributions from Pritchard and Jordan Walsh, along with a strong fourth quarter from Jayson Tatum, demonstrate the Celtics' ability to win against tough opponents even when a key player is out, which bodes well for their postseason aspirations.