Seven Wild Stats From the Sixers’ Epic Collapse Against the Hawks

In Thursday’s Hot Clicks: a closer look at Philadelphia’s choke job, Nikola Jokić’s offseason ride and more.

That was ugly

Has a top seed ever been embarrassed as thoroughly as the Sixers were on Wednesday night against the Hawks?

Philadelphia appeared to have Game 5 in the bag after it built a 26-point lead late in the first half behind the strong play of Joel Embiid and Seth Curry, but it all came crumbling down in spectacular fashion. The Sixers led by 25 late in the third quarter and then got outscored 53–23 over the final 16 minutes to lose 109–106. It was a stunning collapse, and now the Sixers will head to Atlanta on Friday facing elimination.

To say the loss was historic isn’t overselling it. Here are a few stats to illustrate that.

• 26 points is the largest blown lead in Sixers playoff history.
• The Sixers’ win probability was a staggering 99.7% late in the third quarter.
• 99.7% was the same win probability the Falcons had when they led 28–3 over the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
• Joel Embiid and Seth Curry were the only Philly players to hit a shot from the floor in the second half. It was the only time in the past 15 postseasons that two players accounted for all of their team’s field goals in a half.
• The Hawks also erased an 18-point deficit to win Game 4. In the past 25 years, Atlanta was 0–41 after falling behind by 18. It just completed 18-point comebacks in back-to-back games.
• The Sixers are the only team in the past 25 postseasons to blow 18-point leads in consecutive games.
• The Hawks’ comeback from a 22-point halftime deficit is the largest ever in a playoff game after the first round.

Ben Simmons is drawing the bulk of the criticism, and for good reason. He was terrible from the foul line (2-for-6 in the second half, 4-for-14 overall) and is shooting 32.3% on free throws this postseason. (In recorded NBA history, only Ben Wallace has had a poorer postseason from the charity stripe.) But when you only have two guys hitting shots in the second half, the problems clearly run deeper than that. 

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This guy is fascinating

Denver #Nuggets superstar and #NBA MVP Nikola #Jokić at the hippodrome in his hometown Sombor, shortly after he landed in Serbia.

Earlier today, he announced that he will NOT play for the national team this summer pic.twitter.com/x7QTxFAVrR

— Marko Ljubomirović (@LjubomirovicM) June 16, 2021

LeBron sounds off on the rash of NBA injuries

They all didn’t wanna listen to me about the start of the season. I knew exactly what would happen. I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just “PART OF THE GAME”. It’s the lack of PURE

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021

works all year round it’s ME! I speak for the health of all our players and I hate to see this many injuries this time of the year. Sorry fans wish you guys were seeing all your fav guys right now. 🙏🏾👑

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021

On the Defensive Player of the Year!

It looks horrifying but apparently he’s just fine

Great passing, great shot

Make him suit up

At Coors, but still

Ohtani continues to mash

Check out the hustle by this guy

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A good song

Email dan.gartland@si.com with any feedback or follow me on Twitter for approximately one half-decent baseball joke per week. Bookmark this page to see previous editions of Hot Clicks and find the newest edition every day. By popular request I’ve made a Spotify playlist of the music featured here. Visit our Extra Mustard page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories.