Murray scores career-high 44 points, makes game-winning shot in OT as Hawks outlast Celtics 123-122

ATLANTA (AP) — Dejounte Murray scored a career-high 44 points, including a go-ahead jumper in the final second of overtime to power the Atlanta Hawks to a 123-122 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.

Murray scored all of Atlanta's 11 points in the extra period to give the Hawks their second win over Boston in four days.

Jaylen Brown sank a go-ahead jumper with 6 seconds remaining in overtime to give Boston a 122-121 lead. Murray answered with the jumper over Jrue Holiday.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 24 points and De'Andre Hunter had 21 points and 13 rebounds as Atlanta won its fourth straight game to match its longest streak of the season.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 31 points and 13 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis scored 20 points and Brown had 18.

Murray was listed as questionable with lower back soreness before being cleared to play.

On Monday night, the Hawks trailed by 30 points before rallying for a 120-118 win over the Celtics. It was Atlanta's biggest comeback win since at least the 1997-98 season.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said before Thursday night's game he wasn't worried about how his players would respond to the stunning loss that snapped the Celtics' nine-game winning streak.

“No, not really,” Mazzulla said. “They responded already the way they came out and practiced yesterday.”

Mazzulla had reason to be confident in his team, which boasts the NBA's best record and has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta holds the final play-in spot in the East. The Hawks likely would face the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs by making it through the play-in tournament.

No dramatic comeback was necessary in the second meeting between the teams in four days. The biggest lead by either team was Boston's eight-point advantage at 23-15 in the first period.

Boston forward Al Horford (left big toe sprain) did not play.

Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain) missed his fourth consecutive game. The Hawks said forward Saddiq Bey, already ruled out for the season, had surgery Wednesday in New York to repair the torn anterior crucial ligament in his left knee.

All-Star point guard Trae Young (finger) and forward Jalen Johnson (right ankle) have missed 17 and eight consecutive games, respectively. Young was called for a technical foul from his spot on Atlanta's bench in the second period following a 3-pointer by Murray.

A Hawks fan wearing a Hunter jersey sank a halfcourt shot at halftime to win $10,000.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Visit New Orleans on Saturday night in the fifth game of a six-game trip.

Hawks: Host Milwaukee on Saturday night.

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) goes in for a shot as Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) has his shot blocked by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder agrues with official Dannica Mosher (89) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacvts after a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Boston Celtics forward Xavier Tillman (26) and Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) battle during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) drives against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Hawks guard Garrison Mathews (25) loses control of the ball as he drives against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) is fouled by Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chaz Lanier scored 29 points to lead No. 1 Tennessee over No. 23 Arkansas 76-52 on Saturday and tie for the best start to a season in program history.

The Volunteers (14-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) are tied with the 1922-23 team for the best start, according to the school.

Igor Milicic Jr. had 13 points and 18 rebounds. Zakai Zeigler had 12 points and 7 assists.

Tennessee nearly shot better from 3-point range (38.5%, 10 of 26) than from the field (39.1%, 27 of 69).

D.J. Wagner had 17 points and Boogie Fland 12 for Arkansas (11-3, 0-1).

Arkansas: Freshman guard Karter Knox has been the “X” factor for the Razorbacks so far this season. His role has been increased lately while filling in for Johnell Davis, who has been dealing with a wrist injury. He is becoming more comfortable as a scorer.

Tennessee: Trying to ease the stress of the some heavy minutes for his rotation of eight players is the challenge for Vols coach Rick Barnes. Freshman guard Bishop Boswell, the ninth — and final — scholarship player on the Tennessee roster, has been limited with a shoulder injury. He’s working his way back into game shape.

With the game tied at 12 midway through the first half, Lanier scored seven straight points and the Vols went on a nine-point run and got breathing room they never lost.

Tennessee put together a 27-12 rebounding advantage in the first half and finished the game with a 51-29 edge.

Arkansas will host No. 24 Ole Miss on Wednesday while Tennessee travels to No. 6 Florida on Tuesday.

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Tennessee forward Igor Milicic Jr. (7) dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) has his shot blocked by Arkansas forward Adou Thiero (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)