SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama delivered an impressive performance, scoring eight of his overall 42 points during overtime, as the San Antonio Spurs secured a thrilling victory against the Atlanta Hawks, finishing the game 133-126 on Thursday night.
In an exciting matchup, Wembanyama showcased his skills by making 13 of his 24 attempts from the floor, including a notable 7 for 15 from beyond the arc. In addition to his scoring, he contributed six rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals, solidifying his role as a key player.
For the Hawks, De’Andre Hunter was the top scorer with 27 points, while Trae Young added 23 points and facilitated the offense with 16 assists. Jalen Johnson joined the scoring effort with 22 points to keep Atlanta competitive throughout the game.
Devin Vassell also made significant contributions for the Spurs, scoring 23 points, while Jeremy Sochan supported the team with 20 points. Chris Paul came up clutch, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the crucial fourth quarter and overtime, which included a key four-point play that was instrumental in leading the Spurs to overtime. Vassell’s return to the starting lineup marked a significant moment for the Spurs, as it was his first game back after recovering from offseason foot surgery, allowing them to field their intended opening lineup for the first time this season.
Takeaways from the game include the underwhelming performance from Hawks’ Dyson Daniels, who, despite averaging 13.4 points, managed only four points with a shooting rate of 2-for-6, also recording five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. On the Spurs’ side, Wembanyama’s scoring prowess has been exceptional, crossing the 30-point mark in 13 of his first 92 career games. His average of 23.7 points per game this season surpasses the 21.4 points per game he averaged during his rookie year.
A pivotal moment in the game came when the two teams hit a series of four consecutive three-pointers in the closing 90 seconds. The Hawks briefly held a 118-115 edge after successful shots from Young, Vassell, and Johnson. However, Paul was fouled while attempting a three-pointer and subsequently made his free throw, putting San Antonio ahead at 119-118 with just 57 seconds left.
In terms of key statistics, San Antonio launched a strong second-half comeback, scoring 25-14 to take an 85-80 lead after they had previously trailed by 11 points in the first half.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to continue their season on Saturday night, with Atlanta looking to bounce back at home against Memphis, while San Antonio will remain at home to take on Portland.