The Philadelphia 76ers received a standout offensive performance from Paul George on Sunday night, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced Atlanta Hawks attack in a narrow 120–117 loss. In a game that swung on execution in the final minute, the Sixers watched a potential game-tying shot spin out at the buzzer, sealing a frustrating road defeat.
George carried much of the scoring load for Philadelphia, pouring in 35 points with a mix of perimeter shooting and aggressive drives. VJ Edgecombe provided a major spark as well, finishing with 26 points and keeping the Sixers within striking distance during key stretches. Joel Embiid added 22 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the interior on both ends, but Philadelphia struggled to generate consistent offense outside of its stars.
Atlanta, meanwhile, leaned on depth and efficiency. Dyson Daniels delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, scoring 27 points while pulling down 10 rebounds and setting the tone with his activity at both ends of the floor. Onyeka Okongwu controlled the paint, finishing with 20 points and 15 rebounds, as the Hawks repeatedly punished Philadelphia on second-chance opportunities.
The Hawks shot efficiently throughout the night, with Daniels connecting on 13 of his 19 attempts. Vít Krejci chipped in 19 points, while rookie Zaccharie Risacher added 15, giving Atlanta multiple scoring options that kept the Sixers from focusing their defensive pressure on any single player.
Philadelphia found itself playing from behind almost the entire evening. The Sixers briefly nudged ahead midway through the second quarter, but that moment proved fleeting, as Atlanta quickly reclaimed control. Without Tyrese Maxey, sidelined for a second straight game due to illness, Philadelphia struggled to find rhythm in transition and consistency in late-clock situations.
Edgecombe was instrumental in keeping the Sixers close in the third quarter, scoring 17 points during the period while George and Embiid rested. His energy helped trim what had been a growing deficit and set the stage for a tense final stretch.
Down the stretch, the game tightened. Daniels scored on a driving finish with just over a minute remaining to give Atlanta a four-point edge. Quentin Grimes answered with a timely three-pointer, cutting the margin to one possession and reigniting hope for Philadelphia. Embiid followed with a crucial defensive rebound, giving the Sixers one last chance to extend the game.
The final possession unfolded with multiple looks from beyond the arc, but none found the bottom of the net. Grimes’ final attempt rattled in and out as time expired, allowing Atlanta to escape with its 15th win of the season.
The loss underscored both the resilience and limitations of the current Sixers rotation. While George continues to deliver elite scoring nights and Embiid remains a dominant interior presence, the absence of Maxey has exposed the team’s need for steady playmaking late in games.
Philadelphia now turns its attention to a challenging matchup at Madison Square Garden, where the Sixers will face the New York Knicks on Friday night. For more coverage, recaps, and analysis from around the league, visit Explore New Jersey’s basketball section.
