The Philadelphia 76ers entered Thursday night's game with the Atlanta Hawks battling for positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers were 16-15 with the Hawks breathing down their neck, only 1.5 games back. The game would come down to the final minute. Once again, Sixers super star center Joel Embiid came up small in the biggest moment.

The Sixers had possession in the closing seconds, trailing 98-96. They put the ball in Embiid's hands. Embiid pulled up for a wide open 21-foot jumper to tie the game. Once again, the big man came up empty.

Embiid's tying shot rattled around and out, as Philadelphia lost to Atlanta 98-96. Embiid has improved his ability to shoot from outside over the course of his career, but was unable to sink the shot that mattered most.

In the loss, Embiid finished the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds. But it was a very inefficient night for him. He shot 6-17 from the floor.

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According to ESPN Stats & Info, Embiid is now 1-18 in his career on game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final five seconds of regulation or overtime. Only Kemba Walker has been worse in those situations since Embiid first entered the league in 2016-2017. Walker is incredibly 0-25 on such shots.

The Hawks got a balanced effort Thursday night with six players scoring in double figures. Cam Reddish led the Hawks with 18 points.

The Sixers have now lost four of their past five games since beating the Golden State Warriors a couple weeks ago. Philadelphia is tied with the Boston Celtics for 2nd in the Atlantic Division, six games behind the Brooklyn Nets.