The Philadelphia 76ers fell 120-117 to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, dropping a second straight game without Tyrese Maxey.
Head coach Nick Nurse highlighted Paul George’s performance, who led the team with 35 points, including seven three-pointers. “I think the biggest thing for me… he’s getting by people, holding off post-ups, getting to spots. That’s the most encouraging,” Nurse said, noting George’s ability to create opportunities for himself and teammates.
VJ Edgecombe struggled early with two quick fouls and a 1-of-6 shooting start but found his rhythm as the game progressed. “He just stayed with it… getting hit a bunch driving tonight, had to finish and get creative,” Nurse said.
Joel Embiid posted his first double-double of the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds, despite a difficult shooting night at 8-of-20. Nurse credited the careful management of Embiid’s minutes and schedule. “He was feeling pretty good… I thought he had some pretty good opportunities tonight, just a few unfortunate ones rolled off the rim,” Nurse said.
The 76ers had multiple chances late to take the lead after Embiid grabbed a defensive rebound with 41 seconds remaining. Nurse reflected on the team’s execution under pressure. “When you don’t score, you always want to go back and maybe do it again… they got two cracks at it, two guys that have just made shots,” he said.
Nurse also emphasized the importance of supporting younger players despite tough stretches. “Justin’s given great effort… he’s still a very, very young player, going to go through moments like this, but he’ll get on the upswing for sure,” Nurse said.
The coach praised George’s balance of scoring and playmaking. “He’s also a pretty good passer once he gets down the lane… creating a lot of opportunities,” Nurse said, highlighting his impact beyond points.
Philadelphia struggled to control Atlanta’s spacing and ball movement, allowing Dyson Daniels to finish with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Nurse noted that the team weathered the first half and adjusted. “We had to just weather that first half… we did okay,” he said.
The 76ers (14-11) will aim to stabilize on the road against the New York Knicks on Friday, focusing on execution and shot selection as Nurse continues to guide his team through the absence of Maxey.
