3 Hawks who led the way to keep season alive in Game 5 vs. Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks came back in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Celtics to win and three players in particular kept the teams playoff hopes alive.

After trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, the Atlanta Hawks were able to come back and win Game 5 against the Celtics on Tuesday night, 119-117.

This game seemed like the Celtics were going to win — and comfortably — until the closing minutes of the fourth as the Hawks’ comeback victory started taking shape.

Trae Young, who drilled a 30-foot game-winner with just under two seconds remaining, had a phenomenal performance on his way to leading Atlanta to the win. But he wasn’t the only Hawks player who had a major hand in pushing the team to a victory to stay alive in the NBA Playoffs.

Atlanta Hawks: 3 players who pushed team to Game 5 victory over Celtics

3. Trae Young

While we’re highlighting three players, in all reality, there was one reason that they won the game: Trae Young. The superstar was able to have one of the best games in his career without a co-running mate of Dejounte Murray, who was out due to a suspension.

Young had 38 points on 42 percent shooting from the floor. He ended up making five 3s in this matchup as he made clutch plays in the fourth to get the victory for the Hawks. The Celtics blew this one late, but Young made sure the Hawks’ season didn’t end on Tuesday night.

Young ended with 13 assists in this game as well.

2. John Collins

John Collins was able to play his role in this game at an extremely high level, getting 22 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor.

Someone on this offense needed to create with Murray out and Collins delivered. A lot of this game really came down to Young’s performance, but Collins was able to be a solid second banana to help extend the series.

1. Bogdan Bogdanovic 

Bogdan Bogdanovic had a very solid game from the floor, getting 18 points on 66 percent shooting from the floor. I was really tempted to add Saddiq Bey in here instead of Bogdanovic but the veteran had a much higher volume of shots than Bey did. More importantly, he delivered some key buckets to keep the Hawks within striking distance, which then allowed Young to have his superstar performance in the clutch.