PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid played in his first game in three weeks Sunday night, but the star center's return wasn't enough as the Philadelphia 76ers lost 142-134 to the Atlanta Hawks in double overtime.
It was the first time this season that Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey played together, and Maxey shouldered most of the offensive load, finishing with 44 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds in 52 minutes. But Hawks forward Jalen Johnson answered with 41 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists to help Atlanta eke out the win.
«I think it was more about perseverance than it was poise,» Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. «But I think when we didn't have poise, or we made mistakes, we were able to move forward and made enough plays when it counted, and we put ourselves in a position [to win] — as did they.
»We're just happy it went our way."
It appeared the Hawks were in control, leading by six points with less than 30 seconds left in regulation. Embiid's tip-in cut the Sixers' deficit to 114-110 with 22.1 seconds left. After Johnson hit one of two free throws, Dominick Barlow made a layup, and Maxey tied the score with a 3 with 8.8 seconds left.
«It's not over until it's over,» said George, who had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes. «We kind of just stayed in the fight.»
After Johnson missed a tying layup with 7.7 seconds left in the first overtime, Maxey — a 86.8% career foul shooter — went to the line for two free throws and a chance to give the 76ers a four-point lead with 4.6 seconds left. Instead, he missed both.
«I thought I was going to make them, and we'll figure it out after that,» Maxey said. «But, it's life.»
On the next possession, Johnson drove to the basket and was fouled by Barlow with 0.3 seconds
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