Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 41 points to lift the visiting Atlanta Hawks to a wild 142-134 double-overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 34 points for Atlanta, while Dyson Daniels pitched in with 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Johnson also contributed 14 rebounds for the Hawks, who played without Kristaps Porzingis (illness), in addition to Trae Young (knee).
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 44 points and nine assists, while Quentin Grimes chipped in with 28 points for the hosts. Joel Embiid (knee), who had missed Philadelphia’s previous nine games, scored 18 points but had only four rebounds in 30 minutes.
With just over a minute left in overtime and the teams tied at 124-124, Maxey made a tough floater in the lane. However, he went 0-of-2 from the foul line with 4.6 seconds left, giving the Hawks a final chance.
Johnson was fouled on the other end with 0.3 seconds left and made both free throws to force a second OT.
In the second extra session, Maxey’s driving layup forged a 132-132 tie with 2:44 left. However, Johnson answered with a pair of 3-pointers to give Atlanta some breathing room.
Maxey countered with a tough bucket, but Johnson made a nice pass to Daniels for a lay-in on the other end.
The Sixers trailed 101-93 midway through the fourth quarter before chipping away behind a trio of three-point plays by Maxey. Still, the hosts faced a 113-105 deficit with under 45 seconds remaining in regulation.
Grimes’ 3-pointer and Embiid’s lay-in helped Philadelphia get within 114-110. Johnson split a pair of free throws, but the Sixers pushed up the court and Paul George found Dominick Barlow for a bucket, plus the foul.
Barlow missed the ensuing foul shot, but George tracked down the rebound and found Maxey for a deep 3-pointer to tie it with 8.3 seconds left.
Daniels missed from close range on the other end, sending the game to overtime.
Neither team led by more than six points during a first half that ended with Philadelphia ahead 58-57.
The Sixers created some separation midway through the third quarter as they used an 11-0 run to open an 84-75 advantage. However, the Hawks began the fourth on a 13-0 run to go in front 96-89.
–Field Level Media
