ATLANTA — De’Aaron Fox succinctly summed up his initial experience as the point guard playing alongside the extraordinary 7-foot-3 Victor Wembanyama.

“He’s different,” Fox remarked. “He’s special. The defensive attention he garners opens up opportunities to do things you typically wouldn’t do.”

This dynamic was on full display as Fox made his debut with the San Antonio Spurs, leading to a victorious outcome.

He recorded 24 points and tied his season best with 13 assists. Wembanyama’s crucial free throw with just 2.4 seconds left on the clock secured a close 126-125 win against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Fox had recently joined the Spurs from Sacramento through a three-team trade that took place on Sunday.

As Spurs’ acting coach Mitch Johnson had anticipated, Fox integrated seamlessly into his new surroundings.

“A player of his level and experience has been around the league,” Johnson remarked about Fox, who is in his seventh season. “… I don’t foresee any challenges with him adapting quickly.”

From the very beginning of the game, Fox appeared comfortable. He took the Spurs’ first shot and netted 18 points by halftime.

“He contributes a lot for us,” Wembanyama stated. “Our seasonal objectives now feel more achievable. We can leverage all our strengths, and we’ve just added a significant asset.”

Wembanyama, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and an upcoming All-Star, also scored 24 points. He strategically missed his second free throw at the game’s conclusion to prevent Atlanta from executing an inbounds play. This maneuver resulted in Trae Young missing a lengthy last-second three-point shot attempt.

In addition to his scoring, Fox also provided five rebounds and recorded three steals during the match.

“When I arrived, everyone advised me to be myself instead of trying to conform,” Fox explained, sharing his appreciation for his new teammates. “That’s precisely why I believe this team has the potential to be extraordinary.”