Basketball World Reacts to 76ers' 26-Point Collapse in Game 5 vs. Hawks

The 76ers blew a 26-point lead to the Hawks at home in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Atlanta grabbing a 3-2 series lead.

Atlanta sports fans know all too well the feeling of watching a seemingly insurmountable lead whittle away and morph into a gut-wrenching defeat. In Game 5 between the Hawks and 76ers on Wednesday, the shoe was finally on the other foot.

The Hawks shocked the 76ers in Philadelphia, erasing a 26-point deficit over the game's final 14 minutes to win Game 5, 109-106, and take a 3-2 series lead. Atlanta did not grab its first lead until the 1:26 mark in the fourth quarter, ending the game on a 15-2 run.

The Atlanta Hawks erase a 26-point deficit to win Game 5!!! #BelieveAtlanta

Trae Young: 39 PTS | 7 AST | 3 STL
Gallinari: 16 PTS | 8 REB

ATL takes a 3-2 series lead 👀 pic.twitter.com/F9lkuzzLDU

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 17, 2021

The Hawks outscored the 76ers 40-19 in the fourth quarter. Star point guard Trae Young led the way with 39 points and seven assists, while John Collins had 19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots. 

Sixers center Joel Embiid again filled up the stat sheet, scoring 37 points with 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and four blocks, yet he was held scoreless over the game's last seven minutes. Guard Seth Curry had 36 points on 13-for-19 shooting from the field.

Guard Ben Simmons struggled again, particularly from the free throw line. He finished with eight points, nine assists and four rebounds on 2-for-4 shooting and 4-for-14 from the line.

Unsurprisingly, the basketball world had plenty today about the historic collapse. Check out the best of the bunch below:

26-point lead GONE... pic.twitter.com/EByudG7l3H

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 17, 2021

Im chilling tonight. Long day but wow. I went to eat dinner and came back surprised. What happen ? Serious question bc I missed the entire half until 5 mins ago

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) June 17, 2021

👀 game of runs lol

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2021

All of Philadelphia tonight pic.twitter.com/daO0ffZoRh

— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) June 17, 2021

I ain’t even gon lie, I started watching Cruella 🤣🤣 https://t.co/pVqw11FJj5

— Kenny Baze (@24Bazemore) June 17, 2021

40-19 in the 4th. Sheesh

— Kenny Baze (@24Bazemore) June 17, 2021

Worst FT% by a player in a single playoff run (min 50 attempts):

27.3 — Ben Wallace in 2006
32.8 — Ben Simmons this playoffs
37.3 — DeAndre Jordan in 2016 pic.twitter.com/PLyx2QwG3s

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 17, 2021

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

The @sixers were outscored 42-19 in the final 12:32. I am heartbroken and got nothing. Night peeps...

— Marc Zumoff (@marczumoff) June 17, 2021

We all just witnessed:

- a 26-point playoff comeback
- largest playoff comeback in Hawks history
- largest playoff blown lead in 76ers history
- 4th biggest playoff comeback EVER

Wow #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/DN3jtgrzzT

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 17, 2021

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