Hawks Outlast 76ers in Double OT Thriller Behind Johnson’s Career Night
Sunday night in Philadelphia had all the makings of a regular-season grind - until it turned into a double-overtime instant classic. The Atlanta Hawks, fresh off a Friday win over the Cavaliers, rolled into town looking to keep the momentum going. And while they were still missing Kristaps Porzingis due to illness, they found more than enough firepower to get the job done, outlasting the 76ers in a wild back-and-forth battle that ended with a hard-earned Atlanta victory.
Early Grit, Defensive Hustle
The Hawks came out playing their brand of basketball - crisp ball movement and a commitment to unselfishness. It’s no coincidence they lead the league in assists. Plays like the early connection between Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu for an easy dunk are exactly why.
Zaccharie Risacher made his defensive presence felt early, meeting Joel Embiid at the rim and sending his shot back - a tone-setting moment from the rookie. Daniels, meanwhile, wasn’t afraid to challenge Andre Drummond in the paint and came away with a tough and-one finish.
But the perimeter shooting? That was a different story.
Atlanta couldn’t buy a bucket from deep, starting 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. Still, despite the cold shooting, they only trailed 29-25 after one - a testament to their ability to generate points in other ways.
Gueye Ignites the Hawks
The second quarter saw Mouhamed Gueye take over in spurts. First, he buried a three to chip away at the deficit.
Then he got back on defense, swatted a shot, and helped spark a fast break that ended in a dunk. Moments later, Gueye was back at it with a left-handed putback jam after a Keaton Wallace triple.
It was the kind of two-way stretch that makes coaches smile and shifts momentum in a heartbeat.
The game stayed tight throughout the second quarter. The lead flipped multiple times, and the Hawks leaned on their chemistry to stay in it. Daniels and Okongwu connected again for another easy bucket, and by halftime, Atlanta trailed by just a point, 58-57.
Third Quarter Swings and Misses
The Hawks came out of the break looking sharp. Jalen Johnson found Risacher for an easy finish, and the ball movement continued to flow. Risacher later tied the game with a smooth finish, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker gave Atlanta the lead with a three.
But just as quickly as they surged ahead, the Hawks hit an offensive wall. The 76ers pounced, turning a one-point deficit into a nine-point lead.
Atlanta didn’t stay cold for long, though. Vit Krejci and Alexander-Walker each drilled threes to close the gap, and by the end of the third, the Hawks were down just six, 89-83.
Fourth Quarter Fight
Early in the fourth, Wallace knocked down a three to get things rolling, and Alexander-Walker continued to deliver in the clutch. His second-half performance was huge, not just as a scorer but as a playmaker. He found Johnson for a tough finish in the paint, and Daniels came through with a key offensive rebound and putback.
Then came the drought. Both teams went scoreless for nearly two minutes - a stretch filled with tense possessions and missed opportunities. But the Hawks weathered it, held onto their slim lead, and even extended it slightly.
The 76ers played the foul game late, and it nearly worked. Atlanta missed a few key free throws, and after the 76ers grabbed a rebound off another miss, Tyrese Maxey drilled a deep three to tie the game. Daniels had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his layup rimmed out, and we were headed to overtime.
First OT: Trading Punches
Risacher opened the extra period with a statement - a transition dunk that brought the bench to its feet. Both teams went back and forth, trading buckets and clutch plays. Even after Johnson hit a big three, the 76ers had an answer.
With 14 seconds left, the Hawks were down two. Johnson got a look to tie it but missed.
After fouling Maxey, Atlanta caught a break - he missed both free throws. With four seconds left, Johnson got another shot, this time drawing a foul.
Cool as ever, he knocked down both free throws to tie it up. The Sixers couldn’t get a shot off in time, and we were headed to double overtime.
Double OT: Johnson Takes Over
If Johnson hadn’t already turned heads, he made sure to leave no doubt in the second OT. Alexander-Walker gave the Hawks a jolt with a three that pushed him past the 30-point mark, and Johnson followed with a pair of huge buckets that gave Atlanta a six-point cushion.
The 76ers tried to rally, but Atlanta finally got the stops they needed. Johnson sealed the deal with a few more key scores, capping off a career night - 41 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Alexander-Walker added 34 points of his own, and Daniels flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 17 points, nine boards, and eight assists.
Final Thoughts
This was the kind of win that can galvanize a team. The Hawks didn’t shoot well early, gave up multiple leads, and still found a way to gut it out on the road. They leaned on their depth, their defense, and two breakout performances from Johnson and Alexander-Walker.
It wasn’t perfect - far from it. But it was gritty, resilient, and in the end, it was enough.