The Atlanta Hawks were down 22 points at the half of Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Just like Game 4, however, Trae Young and Co. showed their mental resilience to come back for the win against Joel Embiid and his Philly squad.
Sure enough, the whole NBA world was in shock by what just transpired. After all, the Sixers led by as much as 26 points in the contest and were largely expected to take the victory at home and the 3-2 lead over the Hawkes
The likes of Memphis Grizzlies playmaker Ja Morant, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum and Golden State Warriors swingman Kent Bazemore were in disbelief. McCollum and Baze even stopped watching the contest after what started as a boring Sixers-Hawks game that appeared to be heading to a blowout!
👀 game of runs lol
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2021
I ain’t even gon lie, I started watching Cruella 🤣🤣 https://t.co/pVqw11FJj5
— Kenny Baze (@24Bazemore) June 17, 2021
NBA legend Magic Johnson, for his part, went Captain Obvious once again as he emphasized the Sixers' downfall against the Hawks.
The Sixers shot poorly from the free throw line and the field, including superstars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 17, 2021
On the other hand, several NBA players expressed both excitement and surprise with the sudden turnaround.
left the philly game early now its close 😐
— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) June 17, 2021




You have to love the playoffs!!!!! Wow
— Bismack Biyombo (@bismackbiyombo) June 17, 2021
AYO!!! What a win bruh
— Brandon Goodwin (@goodysav) June 17, 2021
Orlando Magic swingman Terrence Ross even compared the Brooklyn Nets' come-from-behind win against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 to that of the Hawks', suggesting that Atlanta's performance is better.
Yo you see Brooklyns comeback? 🔥 Atl: Hold my beer 🍺
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) June 17, 2021
Meanwhile, Hawks' injured second-year forward De'Andre Hunter sent a warning to the Sixers about Game 6 where they could be wearing MLK jerseys. For those not in the know, Atlanta is undefeated when wearing those unis.
https://twitter.com/DreHunter/status/1405353790174228484
The Hawks are just one game away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, and with the way they are playing, it will no longer shock anyone if they pull off the upset. This team is on fire!