**Hawks Secure NBA Cup Quarterfinal Spot, Celtics’ Fate Hangs in Balance**

In a dramatic twist following the Celtics' victory over the Bulls, Atlanta Hawks’ standout Trae Young expressed gratitude to Boston via a tweet, signaling a crucial moment in the NBA Cup. Atlanta's triumph earlier over the Cavaliers, aligning their record with the Celtics at 3-1 in group play, catapulted the Hawks into the quarterfinals due to a head-to-head tiebreaker.

This decisive victory marked Boston's only loss in the group stage, propelling the Hawks to the top of East Group C and ensuring their advancement into the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. With the semifinals and championship slated for next month in Las Vegas, the tournament now adopts a single-elimination format.

Despite the setback, the Celtics still have a chance to progress via the Wild Card berth. This will be determined following Tuesday night’s matchups between the Bucks and Pistons, and the Knicks and Magic. The outcome of these games and the resulting point differentials will be critical.

The Celtics, with a point differential of +23, might lose the tiebreaker if either of Tuesday night’s losers finish with a differential of +24 or higher. However, if both teams maintain a differential of +22 or less, the Celtics will advance. A tie at +23 will lead to the next tiebreaker involving total points scored in the tournament.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has expressed his support for the point differential rule, emphasizing its role in circumventing normal game conventions and pushing teams to adapt strategically. He praised his players for their execution and efforts to maximize their point differential.

The NBA Cup quarterfinals commence on December 10, with the Hawks confirmed as participants. The Celtics, however, require favorable outcomes on Tuesday to secure their spot and continue their quest for the title.