Final Score: Atlanta Hawks 142, Philadelphia 76ers 134 (2OT)
The wait is finally over, but the result wasn’t what Philadelphia was hoping for. Joel Embiid returned to the court on Sunday night after a nine-game absence due to knee soreness, but his presence wasn’t enough to prevent a heart-breaking 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Big Man is Back
Embiid, who had been sidelined for nearly three weeks, played a season-high 30 minutes in his return. He finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist, shooting 6-for-14 from the field.
“It feels like the first game of the season,” Embiid said postgame. “I’m just happy that I got a chance to play the game of basketball… Whether the shots fall or not, I don’t really judge myself on if the shots fell or not. It’s about how I moved about laterally, jumping and all that stuff. Tonight was a good step toward that.”
While his conditioning was understandably a step behind—he did not play in the second overtime period—his impact was immediate. The Sixers finally had their “Big Three” of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey on the floor together for the first time this season.
Maxey’s Heroics and Heartbreak
Despite Embiid’s return, the night largely belonged to Tyrese Maxey, who was nothing short of spectacular. The young guard poured in a game-high 44 points, dragging the Sixers into overtime with clutch shot-making in the fourth quarter.
However, fatigue seemed to set in during the extra periods. Maxey, usually an 88% free-throw shooter, missed two crucial free throws late in the first overtime that could have sealed the game.
“You can put your head down and whine about it (or) keep working hard to get back at it,” Embiid said, echoing the team’s sentiment on resilience.
Jalen Johnson Spoils the Party
For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson played the role of villain perfectly. The Hawks forward erupted for 41 points and 14 rebounds, hitting consecutive three-pointers in double overtime to finally put the game out of reach. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 34 points, helping the Hawks secure their fourth win in five games.
Nurse’s Take
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the team is still trying to find its rhythm with Embiid back in the rotation. “I think they’re just trying to get it to where he feels good enough to play,” Nurse said regarding Embiid’s minutes and management.
What It Means
The loss drops the Sixers to 10-9 on the season. While the result is disappointing, the bigger picture remains Embiid’s health. Surviving 30 minutes without a setback is a victory in itself, but with a grueling schedule ahead—including matchups against the Warriors, Bucks, and Lakers—Philadelphia needs their MVP to find his form quickly.
