Most-Improved duel: Jalen Johnson leads Hawks past Tyrese Maxey, 76ers

Jalen Johnson led the AtlantaHawks to a 139-132 overtime win over Tyrese Maxey and thePhiladelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in a duel between thepresumed Most-Improved-Player candidates.

Both Johnson and Maxey had biggames to strengthen their case for the end-of-season award, but itwas Johnson and the Hawks who came out on top in the high-scoringaffair.

The 6-foot-9 forward out of Dukeput up 25 points and set career-highs in rebounds (16) and assists(7), while also chipping in 3 threes, 2 blocks and a steal. Johnsonhad a big three and two free throws in overtime to seal thewin.

Maxey tallied 35 points, 9assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. He had a wild stretch in thefourth where he blew by Trae Young for a huge dunk, got a stopagainst Dejounte Murrayand then hit a stepback three in Murray’sface to give the Sixers the lead. However, he turned the ball overlate and then fouled out in OT.

The Sixers were again playingwithout reigning MVP Joel Embiid and are now 2-9 without him in thelineup. After losing three-straight games, Philadelphia is now23-13, which is the third-best record in the EasternConference.

Atlanta has underwhelmed thusfar with a 15-21 record, which is No. 11 in the East.