The Philadelphia 76ers secured a 104-89 victory against the Atlanta Hawks in a preseason match on Monday night, but the win came with concerns over an injury to Paul George. George scored eight points before leaving the game due to what the team diagnosed as a hyperextension of his left knee.
Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. topped the Sixers’ scoring with 14 points each, though they struggled with their shooting. Maxey finished with a shooting percentage of just 27.8%, hitting 5-of-18 attempts, while Oubre managed 4-of-12 from the floor and only 1-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Eric Gordon started the game in place of Caleb Martin, a decision that attracted less attention than expected before the game.
In the first quarter, the Sixers struggled offensively, making only one basket in the first five minutes and committing four turnovers. Their slow start was somewhat expected given the busy preseason schedule, marked by three games in four nights. After a brief delay caused by a malfunctioning clock, the Sixers rallied with a 9-2 run. George demonstrated his scoring ability, hitting 3-of-4 shots in the quarter. By the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 23.
The second quarter saw a more coordinated effort from the Sixers, featuring a mix of starters and reserves who effectively moved the ball and registered six assists on their first six field goals. For the first time this preseason, Guerschon Yabusele had a chance to play at the power forward position alongside Andre Drummond, contributing with a three-pointer and a fast-break layup. The quarter also involved some delays due to two challenges. The Sixers led by six points at halftime.
Paul George did not return for the second half and was not on the bench, raising concerns over his condition. Meanwhile, the Sixers began the half with a shaky performance, shooting only 3-of-9 in the early going, with Maxey struggling from the three-point range at 2-of-9 overall. Kyle Lowry provided significant assistance with his passing, including a creative lob for KJ Martin. Jared McCain entered the game late in the third quarter, suggesting he could be part of the regular rotation. The Sixers held an eight-point lead heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Reggie Jackson and Ricky Council IV joined the game as the bench continued to see action. The team announced that George’s injury was a hyperextension of his left knee, while Yabusele shined offensively with another three-pointer and a dunk.