Hawks Defeat 76ers in Matchup Without Embiid

Atlanta extends winning streak against Philadelphia despite 76ers playing without star center

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Atlanta Hawks (26-30) defeated the Philadelphia 76ers (30-24) 115-112 in a Thursday night NBA matchup at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Hawks have now won the last 7 games against the 76ers, including a pair of victories earlier this season. Philadelphia played without star center Joel Embiid, who was out due to injury, which proved to be a significant factor in the outcome.

Why it matters

The Hawks' continued dominance over the 76ers, even without Embiid in the lineup, highlights the depth and versatility of Atlanta's roster. Meanwhile, the loss raises questions about Philadelphia's ability to compete at a high level without their All-Star center, who has been a driving force behind the team's success in recent seasons.

The details

The Hawks were led by strong performances from their backcourt, with Trae Young scoring 28 points and Dejounte Murray adding 22. The 76ers struggled to find an offensive rhythm without Embiid, as Tyrese Maxey's 19 points were not enough to overcome the Hawks' balanced attack. Atlanta was able to pull away in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

  • The Hawks and 76ers met for the third time this season, with Atlanta winning the previous two matchups.
  • The most recent meeting between the teams was on December 14, 2025, when the Hawks won 120-117 at home.

The players

Trae Young

All-Star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks who led his team with 28 points in the victory.

Dejounte Murray

Hawks guard who contributed 22 points to the win.

Tyrese Maxey

76ers guard who scored a team-high 19 points in the losing effort.

Joel Embiid

All-NBA center for the Philadelphia 76ers who missed the game due to injury, a significant absence for the home team.

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What they’re saying

“We knew coming in that Embiid was out, and we wanted to take advantage of that. Our guys did a great job of executing the game plan and getting the win on the road.”

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

“Without Joel, it was tough for us to generate consistent offense. We have to find ways to win games even when our best player is out, and we didn't do that tonight.”

— Doc Rivers, 76ers Head Coach (Philadelphia Inquirer)

What’s next

The Hawks will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers, meanwhile, will need to find a way to win games without Embiid, who is expected to miss several more weeks due to his injury.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the importance of depth and versatility in the NBA, as the Hawks were able to defeat the 76ers despite Philadelphia missing their superstar center. Atlanta's backcourt duo of Young and Murray proved too much for the 76ers to handle, underscoring the Hawks' potential to be a dangerous team in the postseason if they can continue this level of play.