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)

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks and Jalen Johnson agreed to a rookie contract extension on Monday, rewarding the 6-foot-9 forward for his 2023-24 breakout season.

The Hawks did not disclose details of the deal, two days before Wednesday night's opening game of Johnson's fourth season. ESPN reported the agreement was for $150 million and five years.

Johnson, the No. 20 overall selection in the 2021 NBA draft, emerged as a prominent scorer and rebounder last season. He set career highs with his averages of 16 points and 8.7 rebounds.

“Jalen Johnson embodies the characteristics we look for as an organization, both on and off the court,” Hawks general manager Landry Fields said in a statement released by the team.

“He has shown continuous improvement each year and has the character and the work ethic to continue to grow his game. He has developed into a significant part of our team and we’re thrilled to continue his development in Atlanta.”

Despite missing 14 games with a wrist injury in December, Johnson started 52 games after making only a combined six starts in his first two seasons. He almost tripled his scoring average from 5.6 points in his second season.

Johnson joins point guard Trae Young and wing Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, as foundation players for Atlanta following the offseason decision to trade guard Dejounte Murray.

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Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) scores in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)