Atlanta Hawks Triumph Over Philadelphia 76ers
In an impressive display, the Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 117-107 on Thursday night, marking their first game back after the All-Star break. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while his teammate CJ McCollum contributed with 23 points. This victory was significant for Atlanta, as it helped them break a three-game losing streak and secured their third win against the 76ers this season.
76ers Struggle Without Embiid
Philadelphia was without their star center Joel Embiid, who sat out due to soreness in his right shin. During the game, Tyrese Maxey took the lead for the 76ers, netting 28 points. VJ Edgecombe, who recently earned the Rising Stars MVP title, scored 20 points to aid the team’s effort. Other notable contributions came from Kelly Oubre Jr., who added 17 points, and Quentin Grimes, who scored 14, with 10 of those points coming in a strong first half. Andre Drummond also made an impact with 10 points and 14 rebounds, but the team faced its third consecutive loss and fourth in five games.
Game Highlights
Atlanta established an 11-point advantage with about six minutes left in the game, but the 76ers rallied, narrowing the gap to just 108-104. The Hawks sealed their win with a strong finish, executing a 9-3 run, which included five points from Johnson, who excelled from the free-throw line, hitting 14 of his 16 attempts.
Embiid’s Injury Update
The 76ers provided an update on Embiid, explaining that he developed shin soreness while participating in a management program for a previous right knee injury during the break. After a consultation with medical staff, he has been undergoing daily treatments while working on strengthening and conditioning drills.
Coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism about Embiid’s recovery, indicating the possibility of his return as early as Friday’s practice, stating that he doesn’t expect it to be a lengthy absence. Embiid maintains impressive averages of 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 31 games this season.
Upcoming Matches
The Hawks will next face the Miami Heat, while the 76ers will travel to meet the New Orleans Pelicans in their following matchup.
