Jaylen Brown scores 41 points and the Celtics blow out the Hawks 132-106

ATLANTA (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 41 points, Sam Hauser led a 3-point barrage in the second quarter and the Boston Celtics blew away the Atlanta Hawks 132-106 on Saturday night.

The Celtics put this one away with a 52-point outburst in the second quarter, stretching what had been a fairly competitive opening period to an 82-51 laugher at halftime.

Boston barely missed at all in the second, knocking down 19 of 25 shots — including 11 of 15 beyond the 3-point arc. Hauser was perfect on his six attempts from long range in the period, and Brown dazzled inside and out. On a strong drive to the hoop in the final seconds of the half, he flexed his muscles for the State Farm Arena crowd, as if to say the Hawks had no chance of stopping him.

Brown had 29 points by halftime, combining with Hauser (21 points) to nearly outscore the entire Hawks team. The Celtics reached triple figures well before the midway point of the third period and stretched their lead to 43 points before both teams cleared their benches.

Hauser tied his career high with 10 3-pointers, accounting his season-best 30 points. Anfernee Simons chipped in with 14 points, connecting on 4 of 8 outside the stripe.

Atlanta dropped its third in a row coming off a West Coast road trip and the blockbuster trade that sent star guard Trae Young to the Wizards.

Onyeka Okongwu had 21 points on a night when the Hawks shot a miserable 37% (38 of 102) from the field.

Boston: Travels to Detroit on Monday to face the East-leading Pistons in a matchup of the top teams in the conference.

Atlanta: Hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday in the annual game honoring the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder walks the line during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (2) shoots against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) takes a rebound against Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has invited Paul Scholes to his house to speak face-to-face after being mocked by the club great before his excellent performance in the derby win over Manchester City.

Speaking on a podcast ahead of the derby on Saturday, Scholes and fellow former United player Nicky Butt took shots at Martinez for how they perceived he would be overpowered by City striker Erling Haaland.

Butt said Haaland would “pick Martinez up and run with him” and act like a “dad after school running down the road with a little toddler.” Scholes said the Norway international would “throw him (Martinez) in the net” after scoring.

As it transpired, United beat City 2-0 and restricted its fierce rival to just one shot on target.

When Scholes’ comment was put to Martinez after the match, the Argentina defender said: “No, honestly, he can say whatever he wants. I told him already if he wants to say something to me, he can come to wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.

“And I think, for me, I respect the relations when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television, but when you see (them) here face-to-face, no one says anything in your face."

Asked if the pre-match comments give him extra motivation, Martinez said: “No, no, nothing. It doesn’t give me anything. My motivation is my family. That’s it.”

On Sunday, Scholes responded to Martinez's comments by posting on Instagram Stories: “Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you. Tea, no sugar please ... @lisandromartinezzz.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, left, heads the ball ahead of Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)