Jalen Johnson stars as Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers, 139-132 in overtime
ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson hit two tying free throws in overtime and then added a go-ahead 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining, sending the Atlanta Hawks to a 139-132 victory over Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
Johnson, who had 25 points and 16 rebounds, added two more free throws with 13 seconds remaining to help close it out.
Maxey had 35 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals. Tobias Harris added 32 points for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid and suffered their third straight loss.
Trae Young’s 3-pointer in the opening minute of the fourth quarter gave Atlanta its first lead of the second half. The Hawks stayed in front until Maxey’s jam gave the 76ers a 122-121 lead. Maxey added a 3-pointer that pushed the advantage to four points.
Trailing 125-124, Atlanta called a timeout with 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Maxey was called for a foul on Young’s drive to the basket with 12.1 seconds to go. A review upheld the foul. Young missed the first free throw but made the second. Maxey missed a late chance to end the game in regulation.
The Hawks snapped a two-game losing streak with their first win over the 76ers in three tries this season. Young scored 28 points and Dejounte Murray had 25.
Each team held out its starting center because of an injury. Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, missed his second consecutive game with swelling in his left knee. Paul Reed was the fill-in starter.
Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu had 19 points and 11 rebounds as the fill-in starter for Clint Capela (right Achilles tendon soreness). Hawks small forward De’Andre Hunter (right knee inflammation) missed his ninth consecutive game.
Embiid did not travel with the team to Atlanta but worked on the court in Philadelphia. When asked if he expects Embiid to play against Sacramento on Friday, coach Nick Nurse said: “I’m hoping so. We’re still kind of going day to day.”
The Hawks emphasized Okongwu early as they attempted to take advantage of Embiid’s absence. Okonguw, whose career high is 21 points, scored 11 of Atlanta’s first 18 as Reed was called for two early fouls.
Philadelphia forward Robert Covington also did not play due to swelling in his left knee.
The Hawks played the first of five consecutive home games. Atlanta’s 14 home games before Wednesday night were the fewest in the league. The Hawks had not played so few home games in their first 35 overall games since their 1967-68 inaugural season in Atlanta.
UP NEXT
76ers: Host the Kings on Friday night.
Hawks: Host Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
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