The Atlanta Hawks opened their 2026 NBA Summer League campaign with an impressive 102–90 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, July 14, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Hawks controlled large stretches of the contest, using a balanced offensive attack and relentless defensive pressure to keep the Celtics at arm’s length throughout the second half.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the Hawks showed a clear intent to push the tempo. Their backcourt duo of rookie guard Jaylen Carter and second-year wing DeAndre Barlow combined for 38 points, constantly attacking the rim and forcing the Celtics’ defense into foul trouble. Boston, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting just 28% from three-point range.

The game remained tight through the first quarter, with Atlanta holding a slim 24–22 lead. However, the Hawks began to pull away in the second period, outscoring the Celtics 30–21 to take a 54–43 advantage into halftime. The Celtics tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits on several occasions, but Atlanta always had an answer—often from veteran Summer League guard Marcus Green, who finished with 18 points and 7 assists.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter surge: Trailing early, the Hawks went on a 14–2 run over a four-minute stretch, turning a 28–26 lead into a comfortable 42–28 advantage.
• Celtics push back: Boston’s big man Chris Okeke scored 8 consecutive points early in the third quarter, pulling the Celtics within 62–57.
• Hawks’ clinching stretch: With 5 minutes remaining and the score 86–78, Atlanta buried back-to-back triples from Barlow and Green to put the game out of reach.

Standout Performers

• Jaylen Carter (ATL): 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. The rookie showed poise beyond his years, finishing at the rim and making smart passes out of double-teams.
• Chris Okeke (BOS): 19 points and 10 rebounds. The undrafted free agent gave the Celtics a strong interior presence and was the primary reason Boston stayed competitive.
• Marcus Green (ATL): 18 points, 7 assists, 3 steals. His leadership and decision-making were crucial in settling the Hawks during Boston’s third-quarter run.

Team Stats Comparison

What This Means for Summer League

For the Hawks, the win provides a strong early statement from a young core that blends newfound draft talent with returning players looking to crack the regular-season rotation. Head Summer League coach David Stokes praised the team’s defensive intensity: “We wanted to set the tone on that end, and the guys executed the game plan almost perfectly.”

The Celtics, while disappointed with the loss, saw promising flashes from Okeke and second-year guard Larry Thomas (14 points, 6 assists). Boston will look to bounce back when they face the Sacramento Kings later this week. Summer League results don’t count toward the official standings, but they often shape roster battles heading into training camp.