The Celtics dropped a tough one in Atlanta, falling behind by 21 in the fourth quarter of a game that was tied at halftime. 

The Celtics were missing Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta, but they had Jaylen Brown, who missed his last two games with left Achilles tendinitis. The Atlanta native finished with an impressive stat line, falling one assist shy of a triple double. But his 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists don’t tell the whole story of the game. 

“That was probably one of my worst games of the season,” he told reporters in Atlanta after the loss. “This game was on me. I gotta be better. Probably one of my worst performances in a while, and that cost us.” 

Brown scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to help cut the 21-point Hawks lead down to 11, but they could get no closer than eight. Brown had his chances to make this a monster night, but he shot 9-29 from the field and 8-14 from the free throw line. 

“I missed a lot of easy shots,” he said. “Very physical game. Playoff-like atmosphere, and I don’t think we adjusted quickly enough. They came to play, the refs let a lot of stuff go, and we didn’t adjust to the physicality.” 

Easy shots for Jaylen Brown are tough shots for a lot of people, and there were definitely some tough ones in the mix in this game as well. That’s a credit to the Atlanta Hawks defense, which used speed and length to bother Brown, knowing that without Tatum, they were more free to do so. Maybe they also felt they could exploit his recent bout with tendinitis in his left leg. 

“I felt fine,” he said. “ I’m just trying to get my feet up under me and just maintain my balance and stuff like that.”

He later added, “Everybody’s dealing with something.” 

Luckily for the Celtics, the loss did little damage in the standings. Boston has a two-game edge on New York with seven games to play (including one against each other in New York on April 9). It’s not an impossible gap to close, but it’s not an easy one, either. Especially once Brown gets back on level footing. 

Brown has had bad games before, and he’s never shied away from admitting so afterwards. 

“You can’t throw in the towel if you’re not feeling up to your best. Still got to do what you need to do,” he siad. “You just got to work your way through it, rely on your teammates. But if you’re getting good shots and getting good looks, you got to trust that and keep playing aggressive basketball. Tonight wasn’t the greatest night for my team or myself, but you learn from it and move forward.”

ATLANTA – Special guests and segments for Good Day Atlanta on March 30:

New museum exhibit in metro Atlanta explores 50 years of Apple: Exactly 50 years ago this week, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne founded a little company called Apple Inc. And considering the fact that you’re probably reading this article on an Apple product right now, it’s safe to say the company has made quite an impact of the past half-century. In honor of this major milestone, Roswell’s Mimms Museum of Technology and Art is unveiling a massive new exhibit called “iNSPIRE: 50 Years of Innovation from Apple.” 
 

Keith Sweat and Michael Jai White discuss the release of The Secret Between Us: The film will hit theaters on Friday, April 3. Keith Sweat serves as EP on the film and Jai White is the lead actor. A man admired for his integrity watches his perfect life unravel when a son from a long-buried affair resurfaces — forcing him to confront the painful consequences of betrayal as both father and son seek reconciliation and redemption.
 

The Unmasked Contestant from Fox’s The Masked Singer: The Masked Singer Semi-Finals aired last Wednesday on FOX 5.  Singer and songwriter Rachel Plattan was unveiled as the Pangolin. See what she said to Natalie, about her experience on the show.  

Atlanta-based Chef Suzanne Vizethann, shows viewers an easy recipe from her cookbook: The famed Southern chef whose new cookbook Brunch Season: A Year of Delicious Mornings from the Buttermilk Kitchen is redefining how families gather during the holidays. Click here to order your copy. 

April B & Shenelle Simone of The Flew Here Grew Here Podcast: The ladies talk about the latest in entertainment headlines. Howie Mandel apologizes to Kelly Ripa after heated on-air exchange. And Tiger Woods’ girlfriend has her hands full after his DUI arrest. 

Pet of the day: Cami

Brave Heart Bulliez Rescue brings in Cami for adoption. For more information visit braveheartbulliezrescue.org

Pet of the Day: Braveheart Bulliez Rescuee brings in Cami for adoption. For more information, click here. 

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves are already off to a stronger start than they were at this point last season.

Coming off a 76-86 campaign, the Braves opened the 2026 season with a series win over the Kansas City Royals, highlighted by a thrilling Saturday victory when Dominic Smith hit a walk-off grand slam to complete a comeback.

Dominic Smith crushes walk-off grand slam to put Braves past Royals

The team is now three games into a 13-game stretch to start the season and will continue Monday when the Braves host the Athletics at Truist Park for a three-game series.

The Athletics, who were swept by Toronto in their season opener, are searching for their first win. Meanwhile, the Braves, now in the Walt Weiss era, hope to build on their hot hitting despite lingering questions about their pitching staff.

Pitching probables

Monday, 7:15 p.m. – RHP Bryce Elder vs. LHP Jacob Lopez

Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. – TBD vs. RHP Aaron Civale

Wednesday, 12:15 p.m. – LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Luis Severino

Bryce Elder is set to make his first start of the season Monday against the Athletics after a mixed spring, posting a 4.73 ERA over 13.1 innings, including one outing where he allowed five runs in 3.1 innings.

With injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider and Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta’s pitching staff is thin beyond Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes and Elder. As of Sunday, the Braves have not announced a starter for Tuesday’s matchup against Athletics right-hander Aaron Civale.

Hitters to watch

Braves: Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II have started the season strong after struggling early in 2025, each going 4-for-11 with a home run on opening day. Austin Riley also has four hits to start the season. While it’s only three games, all three appear to have put last year’s struggles behind them.

Athletics: Shea Langeliers has opened the 2026 season with a bang, crushing three home runs in the team’s first two games. In fact, he’s the only player on the A’s roster with more than two hits through the team’s first three games. Another guy to watch is left-handed slugger Nick Kurtz, despite his early season struggles. The 23-year-old hit 36 home runs in 117 games last season en route to the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Injury report

Braves:

• RHP Daysbel Hernández (shoulder)
• RHP Joe Jimenez (knee)
• SS Ha-Seong Kim (finger)
• C Sean Murphy (hip)
• RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)
• RHP Spencer Strider (oblique)
• RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow)
• RHP Hurston Waldrep (elbow)
• LHP Joey Wentz (knee)
• LHP Danny Young (elbow)

Athletics:

How to watch Braves on Gray

The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through Braves on Gray local television stations, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.

For broadcast times, channel information and additional details, fans are encouraged to click here and check local Gray Media station listings in their markets.

Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.