Jalen Johnson leads way as Hawks knock off 76ers
Jan 10, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaden Springer (11) fouls Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) on a block attempt in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. credits: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Jalen Johnson scored 25 points, seven of them in overtime, with a career-high 16 rebounds and seven assists to help the Atlanta Hawks end a two-game losing streak with a 139-132 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Atlanta tied the game at 132-132 when Johnson made two free throws at 1:07. Then he came up with a steal and drained a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left. Philadelphia led by three in overtime with 2:31 remaining but did not score another point.
The Sixers played without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, the league's leading scorer, who missed his second straight game with left knee swelling.
Atlanta tied the game at 125-125 with 12 seconds remaining in regulation when Trae Young made one of two free throws. Tyrese Maxey had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but Young knocked away his drive.
Johnson was 8-for-13 from the field and 3-for-4 on 3-pointers, made all six of his free throws and had two blocks. Young had 28 points and 11 assists, and Dejounte Murray scored 25 points. Onyeka Okongwu had 19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
Philadelphia got 35 points, eight rebounds and nine assists from Maxey and 32 points and 10 rebounds from Tobias Harris.
The Hawks were without starter Clint Capela (right Achilles strain) and reserve Wesley Matthews (right calf) and Garrison Mathews (left ankle). Murray (right hamstring soreness) and Young (right shoulder soreness) were listed as questionable earlier in the day, but both started. Philadelphia's Robert Covington (left knee) missed his fourth straight game.
The first half was evenly played, with 11 lead changes and seven ties. Philadelphia's largest lead was seven and Atlanta's was five, with the Sixers ahead 64-61 at intermission. The Sixers finished the half with a 7-2 run thanks to a pair of technical fouls against Atlanta — one for delay of game and another against Young.
The Hawks play the second leg of their five-game homestand on Friday against Indiana. The Sixers return home on Friday to play Sacramento in the opener of a three-game homestand.
—Field Level Media