March 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) drives toward the basket against Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Image Jalen Johnson had 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Atlanta Hawks completed a four-game season sweep with a 125-116 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Nickel Alexander-Walker hit four 3-pointers in the second half and finished with 24 points and six assists for Atlanta, which has won a season-high six games in a row. The Hawks have won five straight at home.
Johnson and Alexander-Walker hit back-to-back 3-pointers during a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to give the Hawks a 10-point lead, 114-104.
Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points to lead Philadelphia to its third loss in four games. Quentin Grimes scored 15 of his 26 points in the second half, and Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to the lineup after missing one game and scored 24 points and five rebounds.
Joel Embiid missed his fourth straight game with a right oblique injury, and rookie VJ Edgecombe missed his second straight game with a back contusion.
Maxey scored 15 first-quarter points as Philadelphia took a double-digit lead in the first quarter and maintained the lead for the rest of the half despite Johnson’s 13 second-quarter points.
Both teams were hot throughout the first half. The Sixers shot 65.2% (30 of 46) from the field, including 61.5% (8 of 13) from beyond the arc.
Atlanta responded by shooting 63.9% (23 of 36) from the field and 50% (5 of 10) from 3-point land. The Hawks were able to hold on closely at the break thanks to shooting 88% (15 for 17) from the foul line in the first half.
Alexander-Walker hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter, giving Atlanta its first lead early in the game. Despite Grimes’ 10 points in the quarter, Philadelphia was ahead 31-21.
CJ McCollum added 17 points and seven assists for Atlanta, the first time it has been over .500 in two games since mid-December. Dyson Daniels scored 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Onyeka Okongwu scored 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The 76ers will be happy to know they won’t have to face Johnson anymore this year, at least in the regular season. He scored more than 35 points three times against Philadelphia this season. He recorded four double-doubles and one triple-double.
Trendon Watford scored 10 points for the Sixers, followed by Jabari Walker with nine points and five rebounds, Andre Drummond with seven rebounds and Cam Payne with six assists.
–Field level media
