Hawks Defeat Shorthanded 76ers in Road Matchup

Atlanta takes season series with second win over Philadelphia

Feb. 26, 2026 at 4:31am

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The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-113 in a road matchup on Thursday night. The 76ers were without star players Joel Embiid and Paul George, giving the Hawks a prime opportunity to secure the season series between the two teams. Atlanta was led by strong performances from Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who have both been key contributors for the Hawks this season.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Hawks in the hunt for a higher playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, as they sit just five games behind the 76ers for the 6th spot. The absence of Embiid and George proved crucial, as the Hawks were able to exploit Philadelphia's weaknesses and secure the season series victory.

The details

In the two previous matchups this season, the Hawks averaged 131 points, 57.5 rebounds, and 34.5 assists against the 76ers. Jalen Johnson has been dominant in those games, averaging 26.5 points, 12 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. Dyson Daniels has also played well, putting up 22 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The Hawks entered Thursday's contest having won the last seven meetings with Philadelphia.

  • The Hawks and 76ers faced off on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Atlanta has now won the season series against Philadelphia 2-0.

The players

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' All-Star forward is averaging 23.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game this season. He led the way for Atlanta in the previous two matchups against the 76ers.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Hawks' guard is having a career year, averaging 20.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He has scored in double figures in 52 games this season, tied for the second-most in the NBA.

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center was out for this game due to injury, removing a key piece of Philadelphia's lineup.

Paul George

The 76ers' other star player was also sidelined for this matchup, further weakening Philadelphia's roster.

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What they’re saying

“We must take advantage of any opportunity we have to gain ground in the standings. With two of their best players out, we knew this was a game we needed to win.”

— Jalen Johnson, Hawks Forward

“Losing Joel and Paul is a big blow, but we have to find a way to compete and win games. The Hawks played well and deserved the victory tonight.”

— Tyrese Maxey, 76ers Guard

What’s next

The Hawks will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a higher playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers will need to find a way to win games without their two star players in order to maintain their position in the standings.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Hawks' depth and ability to take advantage of injuries to key opposing players. Atlanta's balanced scoring attack and strong defense proved too much for the shorthanded 76ers, showcasing the team's potential to make a deep playoff run if they can maintain this level of play.