ATLANTA — In a thrilling matchup, Victor Wembanyama clinched victory for the San Antonio Spurs against the Atlanta Hawks with a decisive free throw that broke a tie with just 2.4 seconds remaining on the clock. De’Aaron Fox, making his debut for the Spurs after joining the team from Sacramento in a recent trade, played a pivotal role in the game, contributing 24 points to help guide San Antonio to a narrow 126-125 win on Wednesday night.
Fox, who stepped in as Wembanyama’s new point guard, made an immediate impact in his first game with the Spurs. Wembanyama, also a standout with 24 points, chose to intentionally miss a second free throw after successfully making the first, thereby preventing the Hawks from executing an inbounds play. Trae Young, attempting to secure a last-second shot for Atlanta, missed a crucial 3-pointer that would have altered the outcome.
In addition to his scoring, Wembanyama pulled down 12 rebounds, while Fox matched his highest assist tally of the season with 13. On the opposing side, Young was exceptional, notching up 32 points and distributing 12 assists for the Hawks. Onyeka Okongwu also shined, setting a career high with 30 points.
The Spurs initially built a substantial lead, ahead by as many as 20 points early in the second half. However, the Hawks fought back, driven by De’Andre Hunter, who hit a pivotal 3-pointer to narrow the gap to 123-121 with under two minutes to go. Young then made two successful free throws to tie the game at 123, followed by a jumper that leveled the score again at 125.
In terms of standout performances, Devin Vassell, who recently had his No. 24 jersey retired at Peachtree Ridge High School located near Atlanta, scored 20 points for the Spurs while also tying a career-high with four steals. Additionally, Julian Champagnie set a personal best with five steals. For the Hawks, Okongwu’s contribution of 13 points alongside Young’s 11 in the third quarter fueled a significant 43-31 rally that showcased their fighting spirit.
A critical moment in the game came when the Spurs extended their lead after a close initial score of 22-21, thanks to an 11-2 run that featured consecutive layups from Jeremy Sochan. The Spurs ended the first half with a commanding 72-54 lead, marking their highest points total in a first half this season.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Friday night, with the Spurs heading to Charlotte for the final game of their three-game tour in the South, while the Hawks will host the Milwaukee Bucks.
