Embiid scores 36 as 76ers top Hawks 105-103 to stay unbeaten
ATLANTA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 36 points, including the winning free throws with 5.3 seconds left, and the Philadelphia 76ers won their third straight game to begin the season with a 105-103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.
In a matchup between the last two unbeaten teams in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia made things tough for Trae Young and dominated down the stretch to deny the young Hawks their first 3-0 start in three seasons.
The Hawks tied the game at 103 with 7.4 seconds left when John Collins tipped in a missed free throw by Young to complete a de facto three-point play after the Atlanta guard knocked down his first attempt from the line. The 76ers had fouled Young before he could attempt a tying 3, but the Hawks wound up getting the points they needed when Al Horford failed to block out Collins, who flexed both arms on his way back down the court.
After a timeout, Horford made up for his mistake by lobbing a pass to Embiid breaking free in the lane. Collins fouled the 76ers big man before he could get off the shot, but Embiid calmly knocked down both free throws.
The Hawks had one final chance, getting the ball to 42-year-old Vince Carter sprinting along the sideline. He threw up a wild 3 that never had a chance, bouncing off the top of the backboard as the horn sounded.
Tobias Harris had eight of his 13 points in the final quarter as the 76ers outscored the Hawks 15-5 over the final five minutes. Josh Richardson chipped in with 14 points, and Ben Simmons also had 14.
But this was all about Embiid, who made 12 of 19 shots from the field — including a couple of 3s — and knocked down all 10 of his free throws. He also had 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Young, the first Eastern Conference player of the week for the season, had 25 points but was held to 7-of-20 shooting. Collins added 16 points and De’Andre Hunter 14, including a 3 from the corner that gave the Hawks a 98-90 lead. Philadelphia dominating the rest of the way.
Young averaged 38.5 points in Atlanta’s first two games.
TIP-INS
76ers: Former Hawk Mike Scott was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant foul on Atlanta’s Damian Jones. Scott gave Jones a chest bump as the Hawks center was driving to the basket, sending him out of bounds. While the play didn’t look especially egregious, officials upheld the call after checking the replay. Scott shook hands with Jones before leaving the court, stopping on his way to the locker room to give his wrist bands to young fans hanging over the railing. … Embiid was a game-time decision after missing one game with an ankle injury. He certainly didn’t look to be in any pain.
Hawks: No. 10 overall draft pick Cam Reddish hasn’t made much of an impact in his first three NBA games. He has a total of 11 points. … Carter played only 10 minutes but was on the court for key minutes down the stretch. … Rookie C Bruno Fernando had the first double-figure scoring game of his career with 11 points.
UP NEXT
76ers: Return home to face Minnesota on Wednesday before heading out on a West Coast road trip.
Hawks: Head straight to Miami for the first of a home-and-home with the Heat on Tuesday. The division rivals meet again Thursday in Atlanta.
