Jalen Johnson's 32 points power Hawks past 76ers

Atlanta snaps 3-game skid despite shooting woes in road win over Philadelphia

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Jalen Johnson recorded 32 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists as the Atlanta Hawks posted a 117-107 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. CJ McCollum added 23 points off the bench for the Hawks, who shot just 43.2% from the field but held on for the victory. Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points for the Sixers, who played without Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Why it matters

The win snaps a 3-game losing streak for the Hawks and keeps them in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference. For the Sixers, the loss is their third straight and drops them further behind the top teams in the East despite strong performances from Maxey and Edgecombe.

The details

The Hawks led for most of the game, building a 99-91 advantage in the fourth quarter on a tip-in by Onyeka Okongwu and a layup from Dyson Daniels. The Sixers made a late push, cutting the deficit to 4 points, but Johnson made a key layup and hit 3 free throws down the stretch to seal the win for Atlanta.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 20, 2026, following the NBA All-Star break.

The players

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' star forward who recorded a double-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead his team to victory.

Tyrese Maxey

The Sixers' guard who scored a game-high 28 points in the losing effort.

CJ McCollum

The Hawks' veteran guard who came off the bench to score 23 points and provide a spark for Atlanta.

Joel Embiid

The Sixers' star center who missed the game due to a knee injury.

Paul George

The Sixers' forward who missed the game due to a suspension.

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What they’re saying

“Jalen really carried us tonight. His energy and scoring were huge in getting this win after the break.”

— Nate McMillan, Hawks Head Coach (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

“We just couldn't get enough stops down the stretch. Jalen made some big plays when they needed them most.”

— Doc Rivers, Sixers Head Coach (Philadelphia Inquirer)

What’s next

The Hawks will look to build on this win as they continue their playoff push, while the Sixers will try to get healthy and get back on track after dropping their third straight game.

The takeaway

Jalen Johnson's dominant performance was the difference-maker for the Hawks, who showed their resilience in grinding out a road win over a tough Sixers team despite some shooting struggles. The loss is a setback for Philadelphia, who will need to get their stars healthy and back in the lineup to regain their footing in the Eastern Conference playoff race.