The Philadelphia 76ers secured a 104-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in a preseason matchup on Monday night, but the win came at a cost. Paul George contributed eight points before leaving the game due to a left knee hyperextension, according to team sources.
Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. were the standout players for the Sixers, each scoring 14 points; however, their shooting performance was less than optimal. Maxey made only 5 of 18 attempts from the field, while Oubre shot 4 of 12, including just 1 of 8 from three-point range. Eric Gordon started in place of Caleb Martin, though this substitution received less attention than anticipated.
In the first quarter, the Sixers struggled offensively, managing only one basket in the first five minutes and committing four turnovers. After a brief delay due to a malfunctioning clock, the team found their rhythm, finishing the quarter with a 23-23 tie thanks to a 9-2 run and solid play from George.
The second quarter saw improved ball movement, with all six of the team’s initial field goals being assisted. Guerschon Yabusele, who played some time at power forward next to Andre Drummond, showcased his offensive skills by hitting a three-pointer and scoring on a fast break layup. The Sixers led by six points at halftime, with promising plays emerging from the Maxey-Drummond connection.
Paul George did not return for the second half, raising concerns among fans about the nature of his injury. Despite a rocky start to the third quarter, Maxey was active, although his long-range shooting was uncharacteristically off. Kyle Lowry made significant contributions with creative passing, including a highlight lob to KJ Martin.
Jared McCain joined the action late in the third quarter, indicating a glimpse of the team’s rotation plans. The Sixers maintained an eight-point lead heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, the bench players gradually entered the game, including Reggie Jackson and Ricky Council IV. News of George’s injury surfaced as the game continued, but Yabusele kept delivering offensively with another three-pointer and a dunk. The team confirmed that George suffered a left knee hyperextension, causing concerns about his future availability.