ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Atlanta Hawks outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers 120-117 on Sunday at State Farm Arena in a game featuring 16 lead changes and neither team leading by more than nine points. Paul George scored 35 points for Philadelphia, while VJ Edgecombe added 26. Atlanta was led by Vit Krejci’s 19 points and a 20-point, 15-rebound performance from Onyeka Okongwu. The Hawks sealed the win when Nickeil Alexander-Walker made two free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining. Atlanta improved to 15-12, while Philadelphia fell to 14-11. The Hawks have won both meetings between the teams this season.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — In a frantic, back-and-forth affair that saw 18 lead changes and neither team lead by more than 10 points, the Atlanta Hawks outlasted the Philadelphia 76ers 120-117 on Sunday night at State Farm Arena. The victory, secured by a series of clutch plays in the final minute, avenged a high-scoring loss to the 76ers just two weeks prior and pushed Atlanta’s record to 15-12, while Philadelphia fell to 14-11. The game’s defining sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds with the score tied at 118. After Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe converted a driving layup to knot the game with 1:31 remaining, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels put the Hawks ahead for good. Following a missed Jalen Johnson layup, Daniels secured the offensive rebound and sank a short jumper with 1:15 left, putting Atlanta up 118-116. Philadelphia’s Quentin Grimes answered immediately with a 24-foot 3-pointer from the left wing, assisted by Paul George, to give the 76ers a fleeting 119-118 lead with 1:03 on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Atlanta executed perfectly. Johnson drove and missed, but Daniels was again in the right place, collecting the board and hitting a 9-foot shot while being fouled with 1:15 remaining. The basket gave Atlanta a 120-119 edge. The 76ers had a chance to tie or take the lead, but George’s 23-foot step-back 3-point attempt with 24 seconds left was off the mark. Edgecombe grabbed the offensive rebound, but Philadelphia could not capitalize, as Grimes missed a 26-foot 3-pointer with 10 seconds left. Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker secured the defensive board and was fouled, making both free throws to extend the lead to 120-117 with 1.5 seconds left. Philadelphia’s desperation heave from Grimes at the buzzer was off target, sealing the Hawks’ win. The contest was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency. Atlanta won despite being out-assisted 10-8 and committing 16 turnovers to Philadelphia’s 11. The Hawks’ victory was built on superior shooting accuracy and critical offensive rebounding. Atlanta shot 43 of 99 from the field (43.4%) and a blistering 17 of 34 from 3-point range (50%). Philadelphia, meanwhile, was hampered by cold shooting, making just 38 of 101 attempts (37.6%) overall, though they matched Atlanta’s 17 made 3-pointers on 41 attempts. Daniels was the catalyst for Atlanta, delivering a stellar all-around performance with 27 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 39 minutes. His activity on the offensive glass and timely scoring in the fourth quarter proved decisive. He was supported strongly by Onyeka Okongwu, who dominated the interior with 20 points, 15 rebounds and four assists, and Vit Krejci, who added 19 points off the bench. Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. For Philadelphia, Paul George carried the offensive load with a game-high 35 points on 12-of-26 shooting, including 7-of-15 from beyond the arc. Joel Embiid posted a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds, while rookie guard VJ Edgecombe contributed 26 points and six rebounds. However, the 76ers’ offense often stagnated, evidenced by their low assist total, and they were unable to get consistent stops in the game’s crucial moments. The first half set the tone for the shootout. Atlanta raced out to a 39-29 lead after the first quarter, fueled by hot 3-point shooting. Philadelphia responded in the second quarter, tightening their defense and holding the Hawks to just 20 points to trim the deficit to 59-55 at halftime. The third quarter was an offensive explosion, with the teams combining for 71 points. Philadelphia’s 36-point period gave them a slim 91-94 lead heading into the final frame, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. The game was a measure of revenge for the Hawks, who lost a 142-134 shootout in Philadelphia on Nov. 30. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Atlanta entered as a 72.5% favorite with a pregame spread of -2.5. The total score of 237 points went over the over/under line of 232.5. A crowd of 16,250 at State Farm Arena witnessed the thriller. Atlanta now looks ahead to a road game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Philadelphia continues its road trip with a visit to the New York Knicks on Friday.

Preview: 76ers at Hawks, Sunday, December 14, 2025 ATLANTA (Interstat) — A high-octane Eastern Conference rematch is set for Sunday when the Atlanta Hawks host the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena. The Hawks (14-11) edged the 76ers (13-10) 142-134 in a thrilling overtime contest just two weeks ago on Nov. 30. That result will be fresh in the minds of both clubs as they meet again in a matchup of teams positioned near the top of the conference standings. All eyes will be on the duel between two of the league’s most dynamic young stars. Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey is coming off a 28-point, nine-assist effort in a loss to the Lakers and torched Atlanta for 44 points and nine assists in the previous meeting. He has scored 35 or more points in three of his last five games. Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, however, was even more spectacular in that Nov. 30 win, posting a career-high 41 points to go with 14 rebounds and seven assists. He is in the midst of a remarkable stretch, averaging a triple-double over his last five games (30.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 10.8 assists), including a 30-point triple-double in Washington last Saturday. The 76ers have lost two of their last three, including that shootout with the Hawks and Sunday’s narrow defeat to the Lakers. They are 3-3 in their last six outings. The Hawks have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over their past five games. Their potent offense, which leads the league in scoring, will test a Philadelphia defense that allowed 142 points in the last head-to-head. Philadelphia will look to veterans like Paul George and Andre Drummond, who had an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double against the Lakers, to provide support for Maxey. Atlanta counters with a deep roster where players like Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have provided key contributions recently. Sunday’s contest opens a three-game homestand for Atlanta. Philadelphia continues a road-heavy December schedule before returning home next Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST.