UNDATED (AP) — No Joel Embiid? No problem as the Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Seth Curry scored a playoff career-high 30 points and the Sixers beat Washington 129-112 to end the series in five games, overcoming Embiid’s absence because of a knee injury.
Tobias Harris added 28 points and teamed with Curry and Ben Simmons to carry the offensive load with Embiid out. Simmons had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to keep the top-seeded 76ers in the hunt for their first championship since 1983.
Embiid is day to day with a small lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers says he expects his All-Star center to be back for the postseason.
The Hawks have earned the right to face the Sixers in the next round by disposing of the Knicks in five games.
Trae Young put the finishing touches on his impressive first playoff series with 36 points and nine assists, guiding the Hawks past the Knicks, 103-89. Young hit the winning shot with 0.9 seconds left in the opener and scored at least 20 points in each game. He made a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left Wednesday for a 15-point lead, then stood at midcourt and bowed to the crowd that jeered him all series.
Clint Capela backed up his confident words from a day earlier with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Julius Randle had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks to finish his disappointing first postseason. The winner of the NBA’s Most Improved Player award shot 8 for 21 from the field and finished 30% for the series.
The Hawks-Sixers series begins Sunday in Philadelphia.
The Jazz also wrapped up a first-round series in five games by downing the Grizzlies, 126-110.
Donovan Mitchell scored 26 of his 30 points in the first half. He also had 10 assists and six rebounds in 29 minutes, getting a little rest before facing the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers-Dallas Mavericks matchup.
Mitchell capped Utah’s big first half with two contested 26-foot jumpers to make it 75-51.
Jordan Clarkson dropped 24 points and Rudy Gobert had 23 with 15 rebounds to help power the top-seeded Jazz to their fourth straight victory.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant finished his record-setting first playoff series with 27 points and 11 assists. Dillon Brooks also had 27 points.
Dallas has regained the lead in its first-round series, going up 3-2 with a 105-100 victory over the Clippers.
Luka Doncic provided 42 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. hit two free throws with eight seconds left to help the Mavericks close out the win. Hardaway Jr. added 20 points, the only other Mavs player in double figures.
Doncic’s points were two off his career playoff high. He also had a career high 14 assists and eight rebounds.
Paul George led five Clippers starters in double figures with 23 points and 10 rebounds after playing the fourth quarter with four fouls. Kawhi Leonard and Reggie Jackson each added 20 points.
It’s the third NBA playoff series and first in 26 years in which the road team has won the first five games.
The Mavs can close out their first series victory since capturing the 2011 NBA championship with a win in Game 6 at home Friday.
