Hawks Vs 76ers: Hawks Win 117-107 as Embiid Sits with Shin Soreness in First Game Back After All-Star Break

The Hawks Vs 76ers matchup on Feb. 19, 2026 finished with Atlanta defeating Philadelphia 117-107 in the first meeting for both teams after the All-Star break. The result matters for both teams' momentum and injury management, with the 76ers missing a key starter and Atlanta snapping a losing streak.

What happened and what's new

On Feb. 19, 2026 the Hawks beat the 76ers 117-107. Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 32 points and 10 rebounds while CJ McCollum added 23. Additional Hawks contributors included Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Zaccharie Risacher and Jock Landale with 10 points apiece. Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak and recorded its third win over Philadelphia this season.

Philadelphia played without center Joel Embiid, who did not play because of soreness in his right shin while participating in a right-knee injury management program during the break. The team said Embiid received daily treatment and was progressing through on-court work and strength and conditioning. Coach Nick Nurse said before the game the plan was to get Embiid on the court on Friday and that he "don't anticipate it being a long time. "

The game featured a late stretch in which Atlanta led by 11 with roughly six minutes remaining before Philadelphia cut the margin to 108-104 with under three minutes left. Atlanta closed the contest with a 9-3 run that included five late points from Johnson, who shot 14 for 16 from the free-throw line.

Team records were listed as Atlanta moving to 27-30 and Philadelphia to 30-25 after the game.

Hawks Vs 76ers: Behind the headline

This was the first set of games for both teams after the All-Star break, and the matchup highlighted two immediate dynamics: Atlanta seeking to halt a short skid and Philadelphia managing a key player's soreness while trying to stop a slide. The Hawks' balanced scoring and efficient late free-throw shooting closed out the contest. For Philadelphia, the absence of its primary center altered matchups and rotations for the evening.

Commentary on the game emphasized challenges the 76ers faced without Embiid on the floor: heavier offensive burdens on their primary ball handler, lineup construction that included multiple non-shooters at times, and foul trouble developing among rotation players in the first half. Those structural issues were noted as contributors to Philadelphia's difficulties in creating consistent, high-quality looks.

What we still don't know

• Exact Tyrese Maxey point total: some accounts list him with 28 points while other immediate observations list 27; the discrepancy is unconfirmed in the available game summaries.
• Whether Joel Embiid will in fact take the court on Friday and how effective he will be if he returns that soon are not yet confirmed.
• How Philadelphia will adjust rotations long term while managing Embiid's knee program and related treatment plans.
• Whether Atlanta can translate this win into sustained improvement beyond snapping its three-game losing streak.

What happens next

• Embiid returns Friday and appears effective: trigger is game-day availability and on-court minutes; outcome could stabilize Philadelphia's offense and relieve scoring pressure on primary ball handlers.
• Embiid is held out or limited Friday: trigger is continued soreness or conservative management; outcome could mean further lineup experimentation and continued offensive strain for Philadelphia.
• Atlanta uses the win as momentum: trigger is subsequent wins and steady production from leading scorers; outcome could move the Hawks closer to a winning stretch and improve confidence in rotation pieces.
• Philadelphia's skid deepens: trigger is repeated losses while key players are limited; outcome could intensify questions about roster construction and short-term tactical adjustments.

Why it matters

For standings, the result immediately puts the teams at the records listed above and impacts short-term positioning. For Philadelphia, the game underscored how the team functions without its primary center on the floor: primary scorers face heavier defensive attention and some lineups can struggle for spacing. For Atlanta, the victory ended a brief slide and showcased contributions beyond a single star, notably in late-game finishing and free-throw efficiency.

Near-term implications include how the 76ers choose to manage Embiid's right shin while he continues a knee management program and how quickly the team can restore regular rotations if he returns. Observations from the game also raise questions about the fit and spacing of several Philadelphia lineups and about whether the Hawks can build consistency from this win.

Next steps to watch

• Monitor Embiid's availability and on-court minutes in the next scheduled game to determine whether the team follows the stated plan.
• Watch how Philadelphia adjusts rotations and offensive actions for its primary guard in Embiid's absence or limited availability.
• Track whether Atlanta sustains scoring contributions from multiple players and maintains late-game efficiency.