If you're frantically refreshing your feed asking what's the score of the Boston Celtics, you've probably caught them in the middle of their January southern swing. Right now, it is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the Celtics are currently in Atlanta to face off against the Hawks at State Farm Arena.
The game hasn't tipped off just yet. It is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
Honestly, the energy around this team is wild right now. They just came off a massive, heart-stopping comeback against the Miami Heat on Thursday night. People are still talking about it. Boston was down by 19 points early on—basically looking like they’d forgotten how to play basketball in the first quarter—before they absolutely stormed back to win 119-114.
Recent Results: How They Got Here
Before you settle in for the Atlanta game, you've gotta look at what happened 48 hours ago. That Heat game was a rollercoaster. Anfernee Simons, who has been an absolute spark plug for this roster, went nuclear off the bench. He dropped 39 points.
Thirty-nine!
He scored 18 of those in the fourth quarter alone. It was the kind of performance that makes you realize how deep this Boston squad actually is, especially when Jaylen Brown is drawing every double team the defense can throw at him. Brown still finished with 27 points, but it was the "bench mob" that really saved the day in Miami.
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Here is a quick look at the recent scoreboard:
- Jan 15: Celtics 119, Heat 114 (The "Simons Game")
- Jan 12: Pacers 98, Celtics 96 (A tough, low-scoring grind)
- Jan 10: Spurs 100, Celtics 95 (A surprising home stumble)
- Jan 9: Celtics 125, Raptors 117 (Pure offensive fireworks)
The Celtics are sitting at 25-15 on the season. They’re currently fighting for that 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing just behind the top spot. It’s a dogfight at the top this year.
Looking Ahead: Tonight in Atlanta
So, what's the score of the Boston Celtics going to look like tonight?
Oddsmakers have the Celtics as 3.5-point favorites heading into State Farm Arena. That feels a bit narrow considering how they’ve played lately, but there’s a catch. Payton Pritchard is currently listed as doubtful with an ankle issue. If he’s out, that’s a huge blow to the backcourt rotation.
Atlanta (20-23) is a weird team this year. They have Kristaps Porzingis now, but he’s actually out for tonight’s game with Achilles tendinitis. It’s always something with the big man, right? Without him, the Hawks lose a massive rim protector, which should open up the lane for Jaylen Brown to go to work.
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Key Matchup to Watch
Jalen Johnson vs. Jaylen Brown.
Johnson has been a revelation for Atlanta, averaging a double-double with over 8 assists a game. He’s basically their point-forward. If Boston can’t contain him, they might find themselves in another 19-point hole. But let's be real, Joe Mazzulla probably isn't going to let them start that slowly two games in a row.
Where to Catch the Action
If you want to stop asking what's the score of the Boston Celtics and actually see the buckets fall, here is where to find the game:
- TV Channel: NBC Sports Boston (for the local folks) or FDSSE.
- Streaming: NBA League Pass if you're out of market, or the NBC Sports app.
- Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the go-to for the radio call.
The over/under is set at 229.5. Given how both these teams have been scoring—and how sometimes they forget to play defense—the "Over" looks tempting. Boston's offense has been hovering around 116 points per game, while Atlanta is giving up nearly 119. Do the math. It's going to be a high-scoring affair.
Checking the Standings
Boston enters tonight 3rd in the East. A win tonight puts pressure on the teams ahead of them and keeps the momentum from that Miami win alive. A loss, especially against a sub-.500 Hawks team, would be a major buzzkill for the fans back in Massachusetts.
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Immediate Next Steps for Fans
Since the game starts at 7:30 PM EST, you have a little time. You'll want to check the final injury report around 6:45 PM EST to see if Payton Pritchard makes a surprise start or if Sam Hauser gets the nod for even more minutes.
Keep an eye on the official Celtics Twitter (X) account or the NBA app for the starting lineups. If you're betting, that half-point on the -3.5 spread is crucial, so watch for late line movements. If Simons is starting instead of coming off the bench, the dynamic of that second unit changes completely.
Get your snacks ready. This southern road trip is proving to be way more dramatic than any of us expected.
Actionable Insight: Set a notification on your phone for 7:30 PM EST. If you can't watch, the NBA's "Celtics" landing page provides a live-updating play-by-play that is usually faster than the secondary score apps.