Hawks Stun Celtics 117-106: Alexander-Walker Shines as Okongwu Suffers Dental Injury in Physical Battle

By SportSphere24 Editorial Team | Jan 29, 2026

BOSTON — Revenge is a dish best served in the Garden. The Atlanta Hawks (24-25) extended their winning streak to four games by dismantling the Boston Celtics (29-18) in a 117-106 statement victory. The night was marked by Atlanta's perimeter clinical efficiency and a frightening flagrant foul that left Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu heading for the dentist.

The Scoreboard: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics

Game Analysis: Perimeter Mastery vs. Physicality

Just weeks after a blowout loss to Boston, Atlanta returned the favor by shooting a blistering 43% from beyond the arc.

1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s Masterclass

Stepping up as the primary offensive engine, Nickeil Alexander-Walker dropped a team-high 21 points. His most miraculous moment came late in the game—a banked-in, left-handed three-pointer that effectively iced the contest and left the TD Garden crowd in silence.

2. The Flagrant Foul: Okongwu’s Dental Injury

The game turned grizzly in the second half when Jaylen Brown drove to the basket and caught Onyeka Okongwu with a hard elbow to the mouth.

• The Fallout: Okongwu lost several teeth on the play and immediately rushed to the locker room.

• The Ruling: Officials upgraded the call to a Flagrant Penalty 1. Okongwu heroically returned to shoot his free throws before exiting for good.

3. Boston’s Missing Pieces

The Celtics struggled without the presence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Neemias Queta (Illness). While Jaylen Brown fought for 21 points, his 0-for-5 performance from three-point range reflected a night where Boston's shooting simply disappeared (9-of-34 total from deep).

Stat Leaders & Performance Metrics