Celtics Look to Bounce Back Against Hawks in High-Stakes Rematch

Boston battles Atlanta in a crucial Eastern Conference clash with playoff positioning on the line.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The Celtics and Hawks engage in a high-stakes battle, with each team's postseason positioning on the line.Boston Today

The Boston Celtics travel to State Farm Arena to take on the Atlanta Hawks in a high-stakes rematch just three days after the teams faced off at TD Garden. The Celtics (50-24) are fighting to maintain the No. 2 seed in the East, while the Hawks (42-33) are looking to bounce back from Friday's loss and prove their recent hot streak is no fluke. Despite missing key players, Boston has leaned on Payton Pritchard's scoring to win, while Atlanta's league-best pace and the emergence of Jalen Johnson have fueled their success.

Why it matters

This matchup is a crucial litmus test for both teams' postseason aspirations, as they battle for positioning in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. The Celtics are aiming to solidify their spot near the top, while the Hawks are seeking revenge and a chance to climb the standings.

The details

The Celtics will be shorthanded again, missing All-Star guard Jaylen Brown (Achilles) and center Nikola Vucevic (finger). However, they've found production from Payton Pritchard, who exploded for a career-high 36 points in Friday's win. Boston's stifling defense will be tested by Atlanta's lethal offense, led by the versatile Jalen Johnson and veteran guard CJ McCollum. The Hawks will look to capitalize on home-court energy to even the season series.

  • The teams last met on Friday, March 27, 2026.
  • Monday's game is scheduled for a 7:30 PM ET tip-off.

The players

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' superstar forward continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers while leading a shorthanded rotation.

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' versatile forward has been a key part of their recent success, anchoring their high-powered offense.

Payton Pritchard

The Celtics' guard has stepped up in the absence of Jaylen Brown, exploding for a career-high 36 points in the last meeting.

CJ McCollum

The veteran Hawks guard provides the scoring punch needed to break down Boston's elite defense.

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What they’re saying

“We know this is a big game for us, but we're just focused on playing our game and doing what we do best.”

— Jayson Tatum, Celtics Forward

“The energy at State Farm Arena is going to be electric. We're ready to give our fans something to cheer about and even the season series.”

— Jalen Johnson, Hawks Forward

What’s next

The winner of this game will take the season series, which could prove crucial in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The takeaway

This high-stakes rematch between the Celtics and Hawks is a must-watch for NBA fans, as two of the East's top teams battle for positioning and momentum heading into the postseason.