Dejounte Murray's career night lifts Atlanta Hawks to overtime victory over Boston Celtics

NEW DELHI: Dejounte Murray delivered a sensational performance for the Atlanta Hawks , scoring a career-high 44 points, including the game-winning basket with just 0.1 seconds remaining in overtime, to secure a thrilling 123-122 victory over the visiting Boston Celtics on Thursday.

The Celtics appeared to seize control late in overtime when Jaylen Brown drained a jumper to give them a narrow 122-121 lead with just 6.2 seconds left on the clock.

However, after a timeout, the Hawks placed their hopes on Murray, who drove to the top of the key and buried the game-winning jumper over Jrue Holiday's defence, securing the dramatic win for Atlanta.

Murray's remarkable performance not only secured the victory but also extended the Hawks' winning streak to four games, marking their second win over the league-leading Celtics this week. The triumph also propelled Atlanta to within one game of the No. 9 spot in the race for the NBA's play-in tournament.

In addition to Murray's heroics, the Hawks received valuable contributions from Bogdan Bogdanovic , who poured in 24 points, and De'Andre Hunter, who contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds. Clint Capela also made his presence felt with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

On the opposing side, the Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum , who recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Derrick White added 22 points and seven rebounds, while Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 20 points, and Jaylen Brown contributed 18.

The win allowed Atlanta to split the four-game season series with Boston, providing a satisfying conclusion to their matchups against the Celtics this season.

The game was closely contested throughout, with both teams trading leads and neither side able to establish a significant advantage. The high-energy affair featured 12 lead changes and six ties in the first half alone, with Boston holding a narrow 63-59 lead at halftime. Despite the Celtics' attempts to pull away, the Hawks remained resilient, ultimately forcing overtime with Bogdanovic's clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation.

The victory for the Hawks sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to their homestand as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Celtics will look to bounce back as they continue their road trip with a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

(Inputs from Reuters)