Joel Embiid had quite the return to action on Saturday, his first game in three weeks. He went up against the hot Atlanta Hawks in an exhilarating seven game series that saw fans sweat from every pore. In a contest that would eventually need double overtime, the Hawks won decisively by a close yet commanding scoreline of 142-134 against the Philadelphia 76ers. This contest was the first time this season that Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey shared the floor together. Fans and analysts alike were captivated by the swagger and excitement it introduced to the game.
Embiid had a great return after he missed the previous game due to right knee soreness. After having missed the last nine games, he took the court with a mission. He played a season-high 30 minutes, adding 18 points on six-for-fourteen shooting. His offensive firepower was decisive in keeping the team within striking distance during the wildly frenetic contest.
Tyrese Maxey was a human fireworks display, scoring his own impressive 44 points. He added seven rebounds and nine assists in his 52 minutes of action on the floor. He knocked down a huge shot late in the game to help the Warriors seal the deal. With only 7.7 seconds left, he blew two free throws that would have given the 76ers the win.
Paul George further fueled the offense, putting up 16 points, seven boards and four dimes in 28 minutes. Meanwhile, VJ Edgecombe returned after missing three games due to a calf issue, finishing with seven points, two rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes.
On the field, the game was a classic, high-five, back-and-forth shootout. Jalen Johnson was star for the Hawks, dropping 41 points to go along with 14 rebounds and seven assists. Johnson’s offensive onslaught proved crucial in lifting the Hawks past a tenacious 76ers team that fought deep into the fourth quarter.
Even during this highly competitive and tense environment, there were high points of clarity too. Crew chief James Capers acknowledged that officials misinterpreted a timeout request from 76ers coach Nick Nurse. Indirectly, this miscommunication ignited a significant amount of backlash on Twitter during the game.
“There was a miscommunication amongst the officials, and we thought when [Nurse] called the timeout that he wanted to challenge the play,” – Crew chief James Capers
After the game, Hawks coach Quin Snyder basked in the glow of his team’s comeback win, highlighting the fight shown in the Hawks comeback.
“I think it was more about perseverance than it was poise,” – Hawks coach Quin Snyder
In an interview after the game, Maxey said he was disappointed about his missed free throws, but felt good about his overall game.
For Embiid, being able to return and play was the last and perhaps most important step in his recovery journey. Most importantly, he worked to improve his overall movement beyond just his ability to score.
“I thought I was going to make them, and we’ll figure it out after that,” – Tyrese Maxey
The thrilling double overtime encounter showcased the competitive spirit of both teams and highlighted individual performances that may shape their respective seasons moving forward. The 76ers are still in the middle of regrouping after pivotal scenes from that game. They are trying to readjust to having Embiid in the lineup, which he has appeared in sparingly.
“I’m just happy that I got a chance to play the game of basketball, build on it and go from there. … I don’t really judge myself based on shots falling. Tonight is all about how I moved laterally, jumping and all that stuff. Tonight was a good step towards that.” – Joel Embiid
The thrilling double overtime encounter showcased the competitive spirit of both teams and highlighted individual performances that may shape their respective seasons moving forward. The 76ers now look to regroup as they address key moments from this game while continuing to integrate Embiid back into their lineup.
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