ATLANTA (AP) — Georges Niang scored 24 points, including a decisive 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in overtime, as the Philadelphia 76ers rested all their starters and still beat the Atlanta Hawks 136-131 on Friday night.
Jalen McDaniels scored 24 points with 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who were already locked into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
With nothing at stake, 76ers coach Doc Rivers rested all his starters. Rivers assembled a lineup of backups that included Jaden Springer, who had 19 points only hours after his arrival from the G League.
Despite the loss, the Hawks clinched the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with Toronto’s 121-102 loss to Boston.
Trae Young scored 27 points and set a career high 20 assists but he also committed nine turnovers in a disappointing showing by the Hawks, who led by 15 points in the third quarter.
Shake Milton had 15 points and 15 assists, and Montrezl Harrell added 11 points and 10 rebounds as the 76ers had three players post double-doubles.
Young’s jumper gave Atlanta the lead before Springer offensive rebound and basket tied the game at 119 with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. Young dribbled down the shot clock before his air ball set up the overtime.
The 76ers, held out all five regular starters — Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and James Harden. Sixth man De’Anthony Melton also missed the game.
Rivers wouldn’t commit to playing his regulars in Philadelphia’s final regular-season game at Brooklyn on Sunday. The 76ers will face the Nets in the first round of the playoffs.
“I won’t tell you that, but we have a plan,” Rivers said before the game.
Rivers said the issue of resting starters in late-season games when postseason seeds are set “hasn’t changed since ever. It’s always been the case. … We have to do what’s good for our team.”
Atlanta, meanwhile, is bound for the play-in tournament and, holding only a one-game lead over Toronto before the game, was motivated to avoid dropping a spot to No. 9.
“We can’t pray for it to happen,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder of the goal of securing the No. 8 spot. “Maybe we can will for it to happen with some of the things we’ve been doing. That’s your hope.”
SOBERING SUGGESTION
After helping the Delaware Blue Coats win the NBA G League, Mac McClung and Springer flew to Atlanta to join the Sixers on Friday. Rivers said he warned the two “to watch their consumption” when celebrating the G League title on Thursday night because they would be playing on Friday night.
Springer was named the G League Finals MVP after averaging 34 points in two wins over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. McClung’s 3-pointer late in the third period cut Atlanta’s lead to 86-84.
TIP-INS
76ers: Maxey (neck stiffness) missed his second consecutive game. Injury designations also were listed for Embiid (right calf recovery), Harden (left Achilles injury recovery), Tucker (right calf tightness), Melton (right calf tightness) and Harris (left hip).
Hawks: F De’Andre Hunter (left knee) had 14 points in his return after missing four games.
UP NEXT
76ers: Close regular season at Brooklyn on Sunday.
Hawks: Visit Boston on Sunday to end regular season.
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