Jaylen Brown’s Leadership Not Enough as Celtics Fall to Hawks

The Boston Celtics entered the 2025–26 NBA season with tempered expectations after losing All-Star forward Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles tendon during the previous playoffs. With Tatum sidelined, the offensive reins have been handed to veteran guard Jaylen Brown, who has embraced the challenge and led the team to a respectable 29–18 record by mid-January.

However, Wednesday night’s home game against the Atlanta Hawks proved to be a humbling experience for the Celtics. Despite a strong start to the season, the Celtics struggled across various facets of the game, ultimately falling 117–106. Following the defeat, Brown, who had been a consistent leader on the court, was blunt in his assessment of the team’s performance, acknowledging that they simply “didn’t have it” that night.

While the Celtics have shown resilience this season, their loss to the Hawks exposed several issues, particularly with ball movement and defense. Boston’s offensive struggles were compounded by a slow start defensively, allowing Atlanta to establish control early in the game. Despite the loss, Brown’s performance remained one of the few positives for Boston.

With Tatum still recovering, the Celtics face a critical period as they aim to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference. The game against the Hawks served as a reminder of how difficult it can be to navigate a season without a player of Tatum’s caliber.

1. Defensive Struggles Lead to Early Deficit

One of the Celtics’ most glaring issues in their loss to Atlanta was their defense, particularly in the first quarter. Boston allowed 38 points in the opening frame, which resulted in a 20-point deficit. The Hawks’ high-scoring start was a product of both poor defensive rotations and a lack of intensity in the early stages of the game. Atlanta’s offensive explosion was fueled by their success from beyond the arc. The Hawks shot 43% from three-point range, hitting 18 of their 42 attempts. Boston struggled to close out on shooters, which allowed Atlanta to open up shooting lanes and take control of the game early. In addition to their three-point shooting, Atlanta’s ball movement was also impressive. The Hawks registered 29 assists on 45 made field goals, showcasing their ability to share the ball and generate open looks. Boston’s inability to disrupt Atlanta’s offensive flow highlighted the Celtics’ defensive weaknesses, which have been a concern throughout the season. For Boston to remain competitive, especially without Tatum, improving defensively will be essential. The team’s lackluster start against Atlanta demonstrated just how much of a challenge it is to recover from early deficits, particularly when the defense isn’t holding up its end.

2. Brown Shines Amidst Loss

Despite the team’s overall struggles, Jaylen Brown once again proved why he’s the focal point of the Celtics’ offense in Tatum’s absence. Brown finished with a team-high 21 points, shooting 9-of-20 from the field, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and a block. His performance was a bright spot for Boston in a game that otherwise lacked rhythm. Brown has been exceptional this season, continuing to elevate his game and contribute across multiple areas. For the season, he’s averaging 29.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, career highs that demonstrate his growth as a player and leader. However, despite his individual success, the team’s inability to execute as a unit hurt the Celtics’ chances of winning. The Celtics’ offensive system, which revolves around ball movement and spacing, struggled against the Hawks. With only 21 assists on 42 field goals, the team’s flow was disrupted, and turnovers became a significant issue. While Brown was still able to get his points, the lack of collective effort on offense left Boston unable to keep pace with Atlanta’s high-scoring attack. Brown’s leadership remains vital for the Celtics, but he cannot carry the load alone. As the season progresses, the Celtics will need more consistent contributions from the supporting cast to ease the burden on their All-Star guard.

3. Celtics’ Struggles Highlight Growing Pains

Boston’s loss to Atlanta also underscored the growing pains that come with being without a superstar like Jayson Tatum. While Brown has stepped up as the primary scorer, the team’s overall performance has been inconsistent. The Celtics have managed to remain competitive, but losses like this show that they still have work to do on both ends of the floor. While the Celtics have one of the best records in the NBA since December, this defeat served as a reminder that success without Tatum will require more than just individual brilliance from Brown. The team will need to refine its offensive execution and tighten up defensively to avoid further setbacks in a tough Eastern Conference. Boston’s rebounding was one area where they excelled in the loss, out-rebounding Atlanta 51–38, and their free-throw shooting was solid at 81%. However, these positive metrics were overshadowed by their struggles in moving the ball and defending the perimeter. As the season progresses, these are areas the Celtics will need to improve if they are to stay competitive in the postseason race. The road ahead will be challenging for Boston, but with Brown leading the way and Tatum eventually returning, the Celtics remain hopeful that they can regain their form and build on the foundation they’ve established without their star forward.