Hawks
Hawks Erase 19-Point Hole as Spurs' 21 Turnovers Prove Costly
The Hawks rallied from an early 19-point deficit to beat the Spurs 123-116 at Frost Bank Center, turning 21 San Antonio turnovers into 30 points. It's a preseason game, so it doesn't touch the standings, but Atlanta's bench outscored San Antonio's 66-55 in a game that leaned heavily on reserves.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 13 d ago01The story of the nightThe TurnaroundSan Antonio opened with a 39-20 first quarter, building the game's biggest lead at 23 points.
San Antonio opened with a 39-20 first quarter, building the game's biggest lead at 23 points. Atlanta answered by winning the second quarter 42-30 to cut the gap to 69-62, then trailed just 95-93 after three. The Hawks took the lead for good in the fourth, outscoring the Spurs 30-21 down the stretch to finish 123-116. Each team had five lead changes, but Atlanta controlled the only one that mattered, in the final period.
02Bench Carries the ComebackAsa Newell led all scorers with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 14.4 minutes off Atlanta's bench, and Kingston…
Asa Newell led all scorers with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 14.4 minutes off Atlanta's bench, and Kingston Flemings added 15 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in 19.8 minutes. CJ McCollum hit 4 of 6 threes for 14 points, and Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels each had 13, with Daniels grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. For San Antonio, Dylan Harper matched Newell with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Stephon Castle scored 14.
03Where It Was DecidedSan Antonio shot better from the field, 46.3% to Atlanta's 44.7%, and out-rebounded the Hawks 59-53, but 21…
San Antonio shot better from the field, 46.3% to Atlanta's 44.7%, and out-rebounded the Hawks 59-53, but 21 turnovers undid that edge. Atlanta turned the ball over just 10 times and converted Spurs giveaways into 30 points, more than double San Antonio's 16 points off turnovers. The Hawks also won the paint, 52-42, and got 20 fast-break points to the Spurs' 16. Atlanta's bench outscored San Antonio's reserves 66-55, the margin that erased the early deficit.
04Free Throws Keep Spurs CloseSan Antonio got to the line 35 times and made 28, compared to Atlanta's 13-of-16, keeping the Spurs within range…
San Antonio got to the line 35 times and made 28, compared to Atlanta's 13-of-16, keeping the Spurs within range despite the turnover trouble. Devin Vassell scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, and David Jones Garcia added 14 off the bench. Carter Bryant chipped in 11 points but committed 4 turnovers in 23 minutes. Victor Wembanyama played a limited 17 minutes, finishing with 9 points, 6 rebounds and a block.
05What It MeansThis was a preseason game, so it carries no standings weight for either club, both entering at 0-0.
This was a preseason game, so it carries no standings weight for either club, both entering at 0-0. For Atlanta, the bench production from Newell and Flemings is an early sign of scoring depth to track into the regular season. For San Antonio, the 21 turnovers and Wembanyama's limited minutes stand out as preseason tuning points, even with Harper and Castle each scoring in double figures.
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