PHILADELPHIA — After a brief rest over the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers returned to their home court in a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Both the Sixers and Hawks had seen their share of struggles heading into the break, and both sorely needed a win in this game.
Unfortunately for Philly, the Hawks lasted just a little longer in this battle of attrition and left the City of Brotherly Love with a 117-107 win.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 28 points, while the Hawks' Jalen Johnson led all scorers with 32 points.
To begin the game, it certainly looked like two squads that had not played organized basketball in over a week. Points did not come easily for either side, and the officials were largely letting both teams play with noticeable physicality.
Both teams would find their form as the quarter continued, but the tone was set early; both squads were working their way back into basketball shape, physically and mentally speaking, and this game was to be a fight throughout.
One player who thrived in that physical environment was rookie VJ Edgecombe, who was coming off an MVP performance in the Rising Stars competition. Edgecombed opened the game with eight quick points and a buzzer-beating three off glass to give him 11 for the quarter and pull the Sixers back within two entering the second quarter.
Edgecombe finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, but his six turnovers undermined an otherwise stellar performance.
The second Cam Payne hit the floor in his return to Philly, he was as electric as ever, dishing four assists (three of which to Quentin Grimes) in five minutes of action.
In his next stint, Payne was not nearly as effective and ended the game scoreless, 0-3 from the field, with five assists.
Once again, without Joel Embiid and Paul George, the Sixers desperately needed something, anything out of Quentin Grimes. Amidst a serious slump, Grimes had averaged just 8.2 points and shot 24.5 percent from three over his last 15 games. In his first game post-All-Star break, Grimes found the game come at least a bit easier to him.
Scoring eight quick points in the second quarter and 14 total points in the matchup, Grimes wasn’t perfect, but he was far closer to the player the Sixers believe him to be, even in the loss.
Philadelphia will next travel to New Orleans for a Saturday night matchup against Zion Williamson and the Pelicans. Tipoff is set for Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. from the Smoothie King Center.
Unless otherwise stated, all stats included in this article are via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass, Basketball Reference or Team Rankings. All salary information via Spotrac.
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