ATLANTA — This time, Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks finished a close win at home.
Johnson hit two tying free throws in overtime and then added a go-ahead 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining, sending the Hawks to a 139-132 victory over Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
Atlanta (15-21) is off to a disappointing start this season, hurt by an inability to win close games. It improved to 6-9 at home.
“It’s huge,” Johnson said. “We need to understand how important it is to protect home court.”
Johnson, who had 25 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in the opener of a five-game homestand, added two more free throws with 13 seconds remaining.
Maxey had 35 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals before fouling out with 1:44 remaining in overtime. Trae Young drew the foul.
“I knew he had five fouls and I knew he wasn’t going to try to foul again,” Young said, adding he attacked when he saw Maxey on his heels.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) battles Philadelphia 76ers’ Nicolas Batum (40) and Paul Reed (44) for a rebound during the first of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/John Bazemore
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said watching a replay of the sixth foul “was pretty hard to take for a guy who was really fun to watch tonight.”
Tobias Harris added 32 points for the 76ers (23-13), who played without Joel Embiid and suffered their third straight loss.
Trailing 125-124, Atlanta called a timeout with 15 seconds remaining in regulation. Maxey was called for a foul on Young’s drive to the basket with 12.1 seconds to go. A review upheld the foul. Young missed the first free throw but made the second. Maxey missed a late chance to end the game in regulation.
The Hawks snapped a two-game losing streak with their first win over the 76ers in three tries this season. Young scored 28 points and Dejounte Murray had 25.
Philadelphia 76ers center Mo Bamba (7) drives to the basket as Atlanta…
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