In a thrilling NBA showdown that stretched into double overtime, the Atlanta Hawks emerged victorious over the Philadelphia 76ers with a final score of 142-134. The dramatic win, which occurred on Sunday night (Monday, December 1, 2025, Philippine time), was spearheaded by a career-defining performance from young star Jalen Johnson.
Johnson's Clutch Performance Seals the Deal
The game's defining moment came from Atlanta's small forward, Jalen Johnson. With the score tied late in the second overtime period, Johnson took over. He broke the deadlock with a crucial three-pointer and, on the very next possession, drained another long-range shot to give the Hawks a decisive lead they would not relinquish.
Johnson finished the night with a monumental stat line of 41 points and 14 rebounds, carrying his team to their fourth win in the last five games. His back-to-back triples in the clutch were the exclamation point on a spectacular individual effort.
Embiid Returns as Maxey's 44 Points Fall Short
The game marked the long-awaited return of Philadelphia's MVP, Joel Embiid. After missing nine consecutive games due to injury, Embiid played 30 minutes and contributed 18 points. His absence had been due to soreness in his right knee, a separate issue from the left knee surgery he underwent in April.
Despite Embiid's return, the 76ers' standout was Tyrese Maxey, who poured in a game-high 44 points. Maxey hit several key shots to force both regulation and the first overtime. However, in a shocking turn, the normally reliable free-throw shooter (88% on the season) missed two critical attempts late in the first OT that could have extended Philadelphia's lead to four points.
This miss opened the door for Atlanta to tie the game. With just 1.1 seconds left in the first overtime, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to force the second extra period. Alexander-Walker was brilliant all night, adding 34 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks.
Around the League: Celtics, Grizzlies Also Secure Wins
In other NBA action on Sunday, several teams posted important victories:
- Boston Celtics 117, Cleveland Cavaliers 115: Payton Pritchard erupted for a season-high 42 points, while Jaylen Brown notched his fourth career triple-double (19 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) to hold off a late Cavaliers rally led by Donovan Mitchell.
- Memphis Grizzlies 115, Sacramento Kings 107: Rookie big man Zach Edey dominated with a career-best 32 points and 17 rebounds, shooting an efficient 16-of-20 from the field. His effort powered the Grizzlies to their fourth straight road win, even in the continued absence of star Ja Morant.
Other results from the night included Houston beating Utah, New York defeating Toronto, Oklahoma City winning in Portland, Minnesota topping San Antonio, and the Los Angeles Lakers getting past the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Hawks' victory, fueled by Johnson's breakout performance, adds another exciting chapter to the early NBA season and demonstrates the rising talent making its mark on the league.
