After their run within the NBA Cup semifinals, the Atlanta Hawks had been lastly again after 5 days of relaxation and so they had been scheduled to journey to San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. In what turned out to be a wild sport, the Hawks narrowly fell brief towards the Spurs, dropping in extra time 133-126.
There are a number of elements as to why Atlanta could not seal the victory tonight, regardless of quite a few alternatives to take action. One of many best (actually) was Wembanyama, who was improbable. Wembanyama scored 42 factors on 13-24 taking pictures, together with 7-15 from three, which was essentially the most threes he has made in a sport this season. Not solely that, however he additionally had 4 blocked photographs and so they all had massive moments. Wembanyama is already the most effective gamers within the NBA and he confirmed it tonight.
The Hawks had a foul evening when it got here to turning the ball over, which is the theme of the video games they lose. The Hawks turned it over 22 instances to San Antonio’s 17 and the Spurs scored 35 factors off these turnovers. The primary and third quarters had been notably unhealthy when it comes to turnover. San Antonio narrowly beat the Hawks within the three-point battle, 19 to Atlanta’s 16. It isn’t an enormous hole, however in an extra time sport, it is vital.
Atlanta had 4 gamers rating no less than 20 factors. De’Andre Hunter (27 factors), Trae Younger (23 factors), Jalen Johnson (22 factors) and Larry Nance (21 factors) had been all improbable. With Onyeka Okongwu injured, Larry Nance got here off the bench and had maybe his finest sport of the 12 months, hitting 5 threes and in addition grabbing 13 rebounds. Atlanta shot 47% from the sector and 42% from three tonight. The Spurs had been 48% from the sector and 45% from three. The Hawks bench dominated the Spur bench 58-30.
It was a winnable sport for the Hawks, which makes it onerous to digest, however they’ve an opportunity to get again within the win column on Saturday after they host the Grizzlies.
Atlanta saved its similar beginning 5 for this sport. Trae Younger, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela had been the primary 5 on the sector for the Hawks. The Spurs began Chris Paul, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanayama.
The primary quarter did not go within the Hawks’ favor, nevertheless it might have been rather a lot worse. Atlanta was sloppy with the basketball, committing eight turnovers within the first quarter alone, and the Spurs had been profitable the three-point battle. After an early 8-4 lead, the Hawks gave up a 15-4 run to the Spurs and so they took a 19-2 lead. One factor concerning the sport early on was the Hawks foul points. Risacher dedicated three fouls within the first quarter and Daniels dedicated two. San Antonio held a 36-29 lead after the primary, however contemplating the turnovers and the truth that the Spurs had taken eight extra threes than the Hawks, it felt good for the Hawks to solely path by seven.
The Hawks have the most effective benches within the NBA and that continues to be true even when Onyeka Okongwu is injured. Atlanta went on an 11-0 run to begin the second quarter and Larry Nance had 9 of these factors on threes and threes. The Hawks made their first 5 photographs and took a four-point lead.
As shortly because the Hawks took the lead, the Spurs instantly took it again. San Antonio went on a 9-0 run to convey the lead again to 45-40 of their favor.
Atlanta completed the half down 26-15 and it appeared prefer it was going to be worse than that. Atlanta led 66-55 within the remaining seconds of the half when Wembanyama took a shot and was fouled. He missed the free throw try, however the ball obtained to Vassell and he made a three-pointer to chop it to 66-60 at halftime. The Hawks completed the primary half effectively, nevertheless it might have been a lot better. After trailing by seven late within the first quarter, Atlanta gained the second quarter 37-24.
Within the first half, the Hawks had 5 gamers in double figures, together with 10 factors and 9 assists for Younger. They shot 52% from the sector and 47% from three. San Antonio, then again, shot 42% from the sector and 42% from three. Wembanyama had an unbelievable first half, ending with 24 factors.
The third quarter was rather a lot like the primary for the Hawks. Turnovers and three-pointers had been main points and the Spurs took benefit of them. San Antonio gained the third quarter 30-21 as Atlanta turned the ball over seven instances and went 2-8 from three. San Antonio shot 4-6 from three and 60% from the sector. Nonetheless, it was not Wembanyama who carried the workforce within the quarter. He completed the third quarter scoreless, however San Antonio obtained 9 factors from Jeremy Sochan and eight from Vassell. The Spurs led 90-87 heading into the ultimate interval.
The ultimate 4 minutes of this match become a wild back-and-forth. It appeared like San Antonio had issues below management, main 107-101, however three straight threes from Nance and Hunter tied the sport. After one other Spurs miss, Younger hit a emblem three with 1:26 left and the Hawks out of the blue had momentum. Nonetheless, Vassell tied the match 115-115.
Needing a basket to take the lead, Younger discovered an open Jalen Johnson, who made the three to offer the Hawks the lead, however as soon as once more the Spurs responded. Chris Paul, who did not rating within the first half, made a 3 and was additionally fouled by Nance, giving him a four-point sport and the Spurs main 119-118.
Sochan fouled Younger after the within go and he had two free throws and an opportunity to take the lead. Younger, the most effective free throw shooters within the NBA, missed each and gave the ball again to the Spurs. Atlanta elected to foul Wembanyama, who had come alive within the 4th quarter, and he cut up the pair of free throws. It was 120-118 and the Hawks had an opportunity to take the lead and so they did so with the most effective dunks of the season.
BY ANDRE JAMES HUNTER pic.twitter.com/xUG0lnj18i
– Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 20, 2024
It appeared Wembanyama fouled Hunter on the dunk, however there was no name. The sport was tied 120-120 and the Spurs had the ball.
Atlanta was in a position to pressure the turnover and obtained the ball again with eight seconds left and an opportunity to win. Younger tried to shoot Wembanyama, nevertheless it did not work and the match went into extra time.
It was ugly in extra time. The Spurs went 3-3 from three in extra time and outscored the Hawks 13-6. San Antonio gained 133-126 and the Hawks fell to 14-14.
Atlanta is again in motion this Saturday towards Memphis.
