Young's 26 points lead Hawks past short-handed 76ers, 112-94

Trae Young scored 26 points, including first three baskets of Atlanta's dominant start to second half, and Hawks beat short-handed Philadelphia 76ers 112-94 on Monday night. De'Andre Hunter and Brandon Goodwin had 15 points as Hawks snapped a four-game losing streak. Clint Capela added 12 points and 10 rebounds as six Atlanta players scored in double figures.

Young, who was held to a combined 22 points in his last two games, regained his scoring touch. He opened second half with a jumper before adding back-to-back layups. Young's spurt keyed Atlanta's 15-2 run to open half. Hawks stretched a 65-50 halftime advant to an 80-52 lead with run. Atlanta led 95-65 late in third before Young and or starters sat out final period. Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Isaiah Joe had 18 points.

Sixers used nine players. That may have seemed like an abundance of depth after Philadelphia was limited to only seven players in Saturday's 115-103 home loss to Denver. Forward Mike Scott (knee) and Embiid (back tightness) returned to add depth.

Philadelphia is far from full strength. Ben Simmons (sore left knee) was again held out. depth problems will continue through week after Seth Curry tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Tobias Harris and reserves Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle and Vincent Poirier were again held out due to COVID-19 protocols. NBA called off two games on Monday due to virus.

Rookie Tyrese Maxey, who scored 39 points in his first start against Denver, had 15. Sixers leaned on Embiid early. center had 16 first-quarter points as Philadelphia led 32-28 before fading in second period. Young and Hawks finished first half strong, closing with a 10-4 run that began with three consecutive baskets set up by Young's passes.

TIP-INS

76ers: Coach Doc Rivers said he hopes Simmons (sore left knee) can return Tuesday night against Miami after missing his second consecutive game. “We thought it'd be one game and w it's two,” Rivers said. team was fined $25,000 on Monday for failing to list Simmons on initial injury report Saturday's game against Denver. ... F Furkan Korkmaz (groin) was held out.

Hawks: Coach Lloyd Pierce had update on severity of G Bogdan Bogdavic's avulsion fracture in his right knee. team anunced Sunday soft tissue inflammation and a bone bruise also was diagsed. Bogdavic was one of major offseason acquisitions for Atlanta, signing a four-year, $72 million contract in free ncy. ... G Tony Snell (right foot) made his season debut midway through fourth period and missed each of his three shots.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS ONLY

Hawks have pushed back ir plan to allow about 1,700 ticketed fans to home games. target date to allow 10% capacity was changed from Jan. 18 to Jan. 26. Hawks credited “an abundance of caution” for making change after after consulting with state and health officials. team has had only a few family and friends attend home games.

UP NEXT

76ers: Return home to play first of back-to-back games against Miami on Tuesday night. teams play again in Philadelphia on Thursday night. Hawks: Open a three-game road trip at Phoenix on Wednesday night. 

(Im Credits: AP)