Joel Embiid stars as 76ers dispatch Hawks

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Nov 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots layup against Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena.
Nov 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots layup against Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena.
Image: Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid had 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lift the Philadelphia 76ers past the host Atlanta Hawks 126-116 in the NBA in-season tournament on Friday.

Embiid hit all 11 free-throw attempts.

The Sixers, who snapped a two-game losing streak, improved to 2-1 while the Hawks fell to 1-1 in East Group A play of the in-season tournament.

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Tobias Harris added 29 points and 10 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey scored 19 and Danuel House Jr. had 14. De'Anthony Melton also had 14.

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Trae Young led the Hawks with 22 points and 13 assists while Jalen Johnson added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

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Saddiq Bey scored 17 points and Clint Capela had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dejounte Murray contributed 13 points each.

The Sixers pulled ahead 107-95 with 8:11 remaining in the fourth quarter when Harris dropped in a 3-pointer from the corner. After a Hawks turnover, Harris scored again for a 14-point advantage.

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Embiid hit a 15-foot jumper and the Sixers took a 115-101 lead with 4:32 left.

Maxey hit a step-back 3-pointer from the wing with 3:05 left in the second for a 51-45 Sixers lead.

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The Hawks then responded with a 9-0 spurt, highlighted by De'Andre Hunter's deep trey, to go back ahead by three.

Harris converted a three-point play with 3.3 seconds remaining and the Sixers went ahead 57-56 at halftime.

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Embiid led the Sixers with 15 points and Maxey scored all 12 in the second.

Johnson paced the Hawks with 10.

Hunter was ejected 1:33 into the third for vehemently arguing a foul.

Johnson hit a turnaround jumper to cap a 13-2 run for a 73-68 Atlanta lead with 6:14 left in the third.

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The Sixers responded and when Maxey dropped in a 3-pointer with 4:13 left, the Sixers led 78-76. They stayed aggressive and went on to go ahead 84-76 following a layup by House Jr. with 2:54 remaining.

Young knocked down a 3-pointer with 15.5 seconds left but the Hawks still trailed 94-87 at the end of the third.

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—Field Level Media