Observations after Sixers lose wild double-overtime game in Embiid’s return

Observations after Sixers lose wild double-overtime game in Embiid’s return originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

In their 19th game of the season, the Sixers had Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey all available for the first time.

They wound up playing their first double-overtime game of the season and losing it, falling to a high-drama 142-134 defeat to the Hawks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The Sixers now sit at 10-9, Atlanta at 13-8.

Tyrese Maxey had 44 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Quentin Grimes posted 28 points. Following a nine-game absence with a right knee injury, Embiid recorded 18 points, four rebounds and two assists in a season-high 30 minutes.

Jalen Johnson starred for the Hawks with 41 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 34 points.

The Sixers were still without Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee LCL sprain) and Trendon Watford (left adductor strain).

Atlanta was down Trae Young (right knee MCL sprain) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).

The Sixers will face the Wizards on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Here are observations on their double-OT loss to Atlanta:

Embiid back at it

Embiid sunk a jumper from the right elbow on the Sixers’ first possession of the night.

He didn’t seem to struggle much with pace or physicality, although Embiid’s rust was evident at times. The seven-time All-Star was whistled for an early travel when he faked a dribble handoff and walked with the ball in the process.

The Hawks scored a few first-quarter floaters against Embiid in drop coverage and he didn’t have a good rebounding game, but his mobility generally appeared fine. For the most part, Embiid was willing and able to close out to the perimeter, accelerate on his drives and do whatever the situation dictated.

Meanwhile, VJ Edgecombe was sharp out of the gates following a three-game absence with a left calf injury, making a transition three-pointer and fast-break layup. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called timeout at the 5:59 mark of the first quarter with his team up 14-11. Embiid and Edgecombe took a seat.

Maxey’s foul drawing

Neither team fared well beyond the arc in the early going. Atlanta began 0 for 9 from three-point range and the Sixers opened 2 for 10.

Individually, Maxey had a subpar shooting start against Hawks defensive stalwart Dyson Daniels. He also committed four turnovers in the first half. With Daniels’ knack for gliding around screens and snagging steals, it didn’t seem as easy as usual for Maxey to trust his instincts.

Maxey did manage to draw seven free throws in the first half and made six. He knocked down a pair with 3.9 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Sixers a 58-57 edge.

Improved foul drawing has been a valuable piece of Maxey’s superstar play early in his sixth season. Even when his jumpers aren’t dropping and defenses are determined to limit his space, Maxey so often finds ways to keep the scoreboard moving. He’s scored at least 20 points in all 19 games.

Double-OT drama

Andre Drummond replaced Embiid in the first quarter, but he wound up playing only six minutes after suffering a right knee contusion Friday in the Sixers’ victory over the Nets. Adem Bona served as Embiid’s backup the rest of the night.

While he resumed his sixth man duties, Grimes started the second half in Edgecombe’s spot. Edgecombe logged 21 minutes in his return.

Like Maxey, Grimes drew regular free throws Sunday. Grimes reached his sixth 20-point game of the season late in the third quarter when he pump faked a corner three, drove along the baseline and jammed in a dunk. A tightly guarded Grimes three with 1.6 seconds to go in the third put the Sixers up 89-83.

Embiid entered to start the fourth quarter and the Sixers endured a major dry spell. Embiid missed two jumpers. A Maxey giveaway led to an Alexander-Walker layup. Turnovers suddenly popped up everywhere for the Sixers, who had five during a 13-0 Atlanta run.

At the 9:18 mark, Embiid subbed out. The Sixers scored no points in the fourth quarter until a Paul George driving layup with 7:37 remaining.

Embiid returned for a final stint with 4:02 on the clock. Thanks largely to Maxey, the Sixers stayed close. His third and-one layup of the fourth quarter cut the Hawks’ lead to 108-105.

Maxey didn’t get much offensive help down the stretch of the fourth. With the Sixers trailing by four points, Embiid dished to an open George in the corner and he missed his jumper long. Though George had an off shooting game (6 for 17 from the floor), he contributed in many other areas, tallying 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists in 28 minutes.

The Hawks weren’t smooth at all in their efforts to stamp the win and the Sixers played with the feisty spirit that’s spurred their early-season comeback wins.

Dominick Barlow’s and-one layup with 12.7 seconds left trimmed the Sixers’ deficit to 115-112. Barlow missed his free throw, but George chased down the offensive rebound and passed to Maxey, who swished a clutch long-range jumper to tie the game.

Daniels pivoted around Embiid on the ensuing possession, but he failed to score inside. The officials didn’t grant Nurse’s timeout request with around two seconds left and George threw up an unsuccessful heave at the fourth-quarter buzzer.

George scored the first points of overtime with a couple of free throws. Neither team could gain any sort of meaningful lead in the first extra session. Johnson canned a three that gave the Hawks a 122-121 edge, but Jared McCain answered with a triple of his own.

A spinning Maxey layup pulled the Sixers ahead and he had a golden chance to ice the game with 4.3 seconds remaining. He missed both his 16th and 17th free throw attempts.

The Hawks then got the ball to Johnson. He drove baseline on Barlow, pump faked and drew a foul with 0.3 seconds left. Johnson nailed his free throws.

The Sixers didn’t send Embiid out for the second overtime and instead turned to Bona at center. Maxey never subbed out after the start of the fourth quarter. The NBA’s minutes leader played 52.

He looked nothing like the typical exhausted player with that large a load. Maxey kept on driving hard and finishing inside in the second overtime. His lay-in tied the contest at 132 apiece.

No one else could chip in for the Sixers’ offense and Atlanta capitalized on defensive breakdowns. Johnson buried two deep jumpers to lift the Hawks to a six-point lead. The Sixers couldn’t conjure any of the magic they’d found at the end of regulation and ultimately dipped to 2-1 this season in overtime games.