UNDATED (AP) — Neither of the NBA’s No. 1 seeds are still alive in the playoffs. The Hawks made sure of that by downing the 76ers to earn the right to take on the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Hawks advanced with a 103-96 win over the 76ers in Philadelphia, putting Atlanta in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in six years.
Kevin Huerter delivered 27 points and seven rebounds for Atlanta, while Trae Young added 21 points and 10 assists. John Collins had a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds in the Hawks’ fifth road win of the postseason.
Atlanta is a Final Four team despite opening the season 14-20 under former coach Lloyd Pierce.
The 76ers were booed off the court following their latest playoff disappointment. Joel Embiid contributed 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Tobias Harris added 24 points and 14 boards.
Seth Curry was the only other Sixer to score more than eight points, finishing with 16.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns didn’t have Chris Paul available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, so they let fellow guard Devin Booker lead them to victory.
Booker had 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his first career triple-double as the Suns earned their seventh consecutive win, 120-114 over the Clippers. He shot 15 of 29 from the field, carving apart a defense that had to play just 36 hours after closing out the Jazz in the conference semis.
Paul sat out because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed his third straight game because of a sprained right knee.
Deandre Ayton provided 20 points and nine rebounds to the victory. Cameron Payne started for Paul and had 11 points with nine assists.
Paul George pumped in 34 points for the Clippers.
Game 2 is Tuesday in Phoenix.
