Philadelphia 76ers defeat Atlanta Hawks 104-89 amid Paul George’s knee hyperextension
Heading into tonight’s game, the Philadelphia 76ers knew they’d have to manage without Joel Embiid for the remainder of the preseason. But what caught everyone off guard was Paul George leaving the game in the second quarter with a hyperextended knee, forcing him to sit out the rest of the contest.
Despite the setback, the 76ers (2-2) rallied and secured a 104-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks (1-1), wrapping up their three-game road trip. A standout performance from the bench was key in Philadelphia pulling away late in the game.
Game Notes
Nick Nurse used this preseason matchup to experiment with a new starting lineup, slotting veteran Eric Gordon in for Caleb Martin.
The Sixers’ starters included Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Paul George, and Andre Drummond, while Atlanta countered with Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, De’Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela.
Tyrese Maxey and Paul George heat up
The game didn’t start well for Philadelphia, as they struggled with turnovers early, coughing up the ball four times in the first five minutes. Atlanta’s defense capitalized, turning those miscues into fastbreak points.
Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels were particularly disruptive, playing aggressive help defense and forcing the Sixers into bad decisions. As a result, Philadelphia found themselves with just three points through four minutes.
After a bizarre delay due to a broken shot clock, the Sixers finally found their rhythm, thanks to Tyrese Maxey and Paul George’s individual shot-making. Maxey and George took turns handling the ball, scoring from both the perimeter and mid-range. The duo combined for 13 of Philadelphia’s 23 first-quarter points.
Kelly Oubre Jr. helped spark a run, throwing down a transition dunk that tied the game at 23 to end the quarter on a 19-6 surge.
76ers create separation in the second quarter
Coach Nurse’s decision to bring Caleb Martin off the bench raised some eyebrows, but the move paid off.
Martin played a crucial role in the second quarter, breaking up a lob, hitting a three-pointer, and dishing out a solid assist off a drive-and-kick. His first-half plus/minus of +7 led the team.
Bench players Kyle Lowry and Guerschon Yabusele also provided a spark, combining with Martin to score 22 points off the bench in the first half.
Though Trae Young kept Atlanta in the game with his playmaking, the 76ers’ defense hounded him, forcing him into nine total turnovers.
These mistakes led to easy scoring opportunities for Maxey, who finished the half with 11 points and 5 assists, pushing Philadelphia to a 54-48 lead at the break.
Paul George doesn’t play in the third quarter
Both teams trotted out their starting lineups to begin the third quarter—except for Paul George, who hyperextended his knee in the second quarter after contesting a Jalen Johnson drive. George did not return to the game.
Paul George suffers left knee injury vs. Hawks, could miss season opener
Despite George’s absence, Philadelphia continued its aggressive defensive strategy on Trae Young, often sending multiple defenders to force the ball out of his hands.
However, the Sixers’ offense stagnated again, with Maxey and Oubre relying on isolation plays and contested shots, allowing Atlanta to keep the game close.
Kyle Lowry and KJ Martin started to find chemistry in the pick-and-roll, with Martin scoring on a few well-timed drives, helping the Sixers build an 11-point lead at one point. However, Atlanta trimmed the lead to eight heading into the final quarter.
76ers bench closes it out
Both teams rested their starters in the fourth quarter, giving reserves a chance to shine. Guerschon Yabusele took advantage, knocking down his second three-pointer of the night and playing an effective two-man game with Reggie Jackson.
Yabusele’s work as a roll-man led to two powerful dunks, and he also found KJ Martin cutting to the hoop for an easy score. He finished with a double-double, tallying 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists, the only player from either team to achieve that mark.
Jared McCain also contributed off the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in 16 minutes. Though his efficiency could improve, he showcased promising development as a slasher.
Philadelphia outscored Atlanta 29-22 in the fourth quarter, pulling away by as many as 17 points as the game wound down.
The 76ers will return to Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday to face the Brooklyn Nets at 7:00 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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Mandatory Credit: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
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