Listen to Jayson Tatum following the Celtics 117-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

The Boston Celtics faced a tough challenge in their recent game against the Atlanta Hawks, falling short despite having a solid early lead. The loss raised several key questions regarding the team’s performance, particularly in the second half. While the Celtics had a 15-point lead at one point, they couldn’t maintain that momentum, allowing the Hawks to chip away at the deficit and eventually steal the game.

After the game, the Celtics’ star player addressed multiple issues that contributed to the team’s struggles. One of the most notable was their inability to maintain control after the third quarter. The Celtics had been dominant for much of the first half, but a series of mistakes, including turnovers and poor rebounding, allowed the Hawks to capitalize. The game’s turning point came early in the fourth quarter, when the Celtics’ defense faltered, and Atlanta’s players—particularly the likes of Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson—began making impactful plays.

In an interview postgame, the Celtics’ player was asked about the ankle injury he sustained earlier in the game. Although it was a little tender, he confirmed that he would be ready to play in the next contest, pushing through the discomfort to help his team. It was a small but telling moment, showcasing the resilience of the Celtics, even if it wasn’t enough to secure a win on this occasion. Despite the injury, his ability to continue playing underlined the physical nature of the game and the determination to stay competitive.

One of the more critical aspects that was mentioned was the Celtics’ defensive and rebounding efforts. The team had been praised for their rim protection earlier in the season, but in this game, they appeared to be lacking that same intensity. The Celtics were outworked on the glass, allowing the Hawks to grab several crucial offensive rebounds. This hurt them, especially when they struggled to convert on the offensive end after losing possession. The Celtics’ defense, which had been one of their strong points throughout the season, seemed vulnerable at times, with the Hawks finding open looks and exploiting the Celtics’ gaps.

Turnovers also played a major role in the defeat. In an NBA game, where every possession counts, the Celtics shot themselves in the foot by committing too many errors, preventing them from getting quality shots on goal. This is especially concerning when considering that the Hawks capitalized on these turnovers, transitioning quickly and scoring off the Celtics’ mistakes. The Celtics’ inability to control the ball made it more difficult for them to dictate the tempo of the game.

The team’s performance was a stark contrast to their usual standards, and it was evident that their intensity dropped at key moments. When asked about the Celtics’ overall play, the star player admitted that the team didn’t play well enough to win. They allowed the Hawks to get comfortable and build confidence, which proved to be a significant factor in the outcome. The Celtics have been known for their ability to put together complete performances, but in this game, they failed to close out when it mattered most.

In addition to the physical and mental lapses, the Celtics were also asked about their mindset going into the game without the Hawks’ star player, Trae Young. The absence of Young could have been seen as an opportunity for the Celtics to assert themselves early, but it didn’t seem to affect the team’s approach. While they didn’t directly blame the loss on Young’s absence, the Celtics acknowledged that their focus was more on what they didn’t do right, rather than what the Hawks were missing. This sense of responsibility for their own performance reflects a maturity in their approach, but also a recognition that they must improve.

The Celtics’ performance has been inconsistent over the past few games, even though they’ve managed to win some. This stretch of games has been challenging for the team, with their play slipping below the level of excellence they are used to. The Celtics themselves noted that slow starts and lapses in focus have been problematic. Whether it was falling behind early in games or failing to execute in crucial moments, the team’s rhythm has been off. In this particular game, the Celtics struggled with their transition defense, letting the Hawks capitalize on fast-break opportunities.

The Celtics’ head coach, Joe Mazzulla, frequently talks about the importance of “margins”—the little things that add up and determine the outcome of the game. In the postgame, Mazzulla highlighted that the Celtics’ turnovers and missed rebounds shrank their margin for error, making it much harder to win. The turnovers prevented them from establishing any consistent offensive flow, while the failure to secure defensive rebounds gave the Hawks second-chance opportunities. In the competitive landscape of the NBA, those little mistakes often lead to bigger consequences.

When asked about the NBA Cup and whether this loss would make the pursuit of the title harder, the player acknowledged that, technically, the Celtics had lost and now depended on other teams’ records and how they performed in future games. Despite the disappointment, he didn’t dwell too much on the ramifications, choosing instead to focus on what they could control—improving their own performance in future games. The pursuit of the NBA Cup remains alive, but this loss was a reminder of how small mistakes can have big impacts.

One particularly intense moment came late in the game when the Celtics were trying to get a critical possession with an inbound play. The player mentioned feeling like he was grabbed on the arm during the inbounds pass, but the referees didn’t call a foul. He admitted that it was his responsibility to secure the ball and take care of the situation, but the frustration was palpable. Moments like these, where the Celtics feel they were wronged, can sometimes shift momentum, but the team knew that it was their own lapses that had allowed the game to slip away.

Ultimately, the Celtics will look back on this game as one they let get away. Despite holding a comfortable lead, they couldn’t execute down the stretch and paid the price. With the season still young, they will have plenty of time to correct their mistakes, but this game will serve as a valuable reminder that in the NBA, success hinges on consistency, discipline, and attention to detail. If the Celtics are to return to their high level of play, they must take ownership of their mistakes and ensure that the margins, both big and small, are in their favor moving forward.