The Atlanta Hawks are riding a season-high-tying five-game winning streak, which includes four in a row at home. Now, they get to face an opponent they have owned in recent seasons.
The Hawks can complete a four-game season series sweep over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Atlanta also owns an eight-game streak over the 76ers that dates back to Jan. 10, 2024. When these teams last met on Feb. 19 in Philadelphia, Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 32 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals in a 117-107 victory.
Coach Quin Snyder’s Hawks suffered through a seven-game losing streak in December to fall four games under .500. They didn’t get back over .500 until Wednesday’s 131-113 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker continued his breakout season with a team-high 23 points. Johnson added 20 points and nine assists, and Onyeka Okongwu contributed 21 points and eight rebounds.
“It’s a really good win for us to get back above .500 for the first time in a few months,” Snyder said. “The thing that I’m most impressed with is how unselfish they are. Everybody’s sacrificing something for one another.”
CJ McCollum added 18 points and eight assists as Atlanta spread the wealth offensively.
“We almost had six guys with double-figure shot attempts. That’s a group that’s sharing the ball,” Snyder said.
That unselfishness is evident each night as five different players have led the Hawks in scoring during their win streak. Atlanta has played itself into a tie for ninth in the East with the conference’s other surging team, the Charlotte Hornets.
Now the Hawks get a 76ers squad expected to be severely depleted 76ers squad. Philadelphia has been without Paul George, suspended for 25 games without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-doping policy, for several weeks. He is not eligible to return until March 25.
Additionally, Joel Embiid (strained right oblique) will miss his fourth straight game. On Wednesday against Utah, the Sixers were also without rookie sensation VJ Edgecombe, who suffered a back contusion in a loss to San Antonio on Tuesday. He’s listed as doubtful to play against the Hawks. Kelly Oubre Jr. also missed Wednesday’s contest due to illness, but he’s available Saturday.
That’s 72.2 points that were sidelined against the Jazz. Tyrese Maxey had 25 points and six assists while Jabari Walker added 22 points and 10 rebounds off the bench as Philadelphia held on for a 106-102 victory. Walker’s 28 minutes more than doubled his season average.
“It’s a hell of a win considering all the guys out,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said.
The victory ended an ugly two-game losing streak when the Sixers were outplayed and outclassed in a 40-point trouncing by the Spurs and a 114-98 setback against the Boston Celtics. Right now, Nurse will take the wins where he can.
“We just gotta figure out some way to pick them off,” he said. “We don’t care what they look like. You know, just pick off a win here and there.”
