Game ID: 22300272
Atlanta Hawks @ San Antonio Spurs
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAS 35 31 39 30 135ATL 26 36 39 36 137
ATL @ SAS ScoutingATL @ SAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
SAS availability going into 11/20 · 1 day's restOUT Vassell missed 2 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 2 since 11/17, out tonight
OUT Cissoko missed 8 since 11/05, returns tonight: 4 min (36% of 12)
BACK Jones back 11/18 after 3, 21 min since (77% of 28)
BACK Champagnie back 11/14 after 2, 25 min since (128% of 20)
BACK Wesley back 11/17 after 3, 4 min since (26% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 11/14 after 2, 4 min since (31% of 13)
NEW Johnson 30 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Collins 22 to 30 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/22 · 1 day's restOUT Vassell missed 3 since 11/17, returns tonight: 27 min (81% of 33)
OUT Wesley missed 2 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 3 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Jones back 11/18 after 3, 22 min since (80% of 28)
BACK Champagnie back 11/14 after 2, 25 min since (125% of 20)
BACK Barlow back 11/14 after 2, 4 min since (31% of 13)
BACK Cissoko back 11/20 after 8, 4 min since (36% of 12)
NEW Collins 22 to 30 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/24 · 1 day's restOUT Wesley missed 3 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 4 since 11/17, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/22 after 3, 27 min since (81% of 33)
BACK Jones back 11/18 after 3, 21 min since (77% of 28)
BACK Champagnie back 11/14 after 2, 25 min since (125% of 20)
BACK Barlow back 11/14 after 2, 6 min since (44% of 13)
BACK Cissoko back 11/20 after 8, 4 min since (36% of 12)
NEW Collins 22 to 29 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/26 · 1 day's restOUT Champagnie missed 2 since 11/22, returns tonight: 17 min (85% of 20)
OUT Wesley missed 4 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 5 since 11/17, returns tonight: 6 min (48% of 14)
OUT Cissoko missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/22 after 3, 27 min since (82% of 33)
BACK Jones back 11/18 after 3, 20 min since (73% of 28)
NEW Collins 22 to 29 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 11/30 · 3 days' restOUT Wesley missed 5 since 11/18, out tonight
OUT Barlow missed 2 since 11/24, out tonight
OUT Cissoko missed 3 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/22 after 3, 27 min since (81% of 33)
BACK Jones back 11/18 after 3, 21 min since (74% of 28)
BACK Champagnie back 11/26 after 2, 17 min since (85% of 20)
BACK Graham back 11/26 after 5, 6 min since (48% of 14)
SAS availability going into 12/01 · back-to-backOUT Wesley missed 6 since 11/18, returns tonight: 3 min (19% of 14)
OUT Barlow missed 3 since 11/24, returns tonight: 3 min (22% of 13)
OUT Cissoko missed 4 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/22 after 3, 27 min since (81% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 11/26 after 2, 18 min since (93% of 20)
BACK Graham back 11/26 after 5, 6 min since (48% of 14)
NEW Collins 22 to 28 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/06 · 4 days' restOUT McDermott missed 2 since 11/30, returns tonight: 22 min (145% of 15)
OUT Graham missed 2 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Cissoko missed 5 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Vassell back 11/22 after 3, 27 min since (81% of 33)
BACK Champagnie back 11/26 after 2, 20 min since (99% of 20)
BACK Wesley back 12/01 after 6, 3 min since (19% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 12/01 after 3, 3 min since (22% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 27 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Graham missed 3 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Cissoko missed 6 since 11/22, out tonight
BACK Champagnie back 11/26 after 2, 16 min since (79% of 20)
BACK McDermott back 12/06 after 2, 22 min since (145% of 15)
BACK Wesley back 12/01 after 6, 3 min since (19% of 14)
BACK Barlow back 12/01 after 3, 3 min since (22% of 13)
NEW Collins 22 to 27 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Wesley missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Graham missed 4 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Barlow missed 2 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Cissoko missed 7 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Bassey missed 2 since 12/06, not on tonight's roster
BACK Champagnie back 11/26 after 2, 14 min since (69% of 20)
BACK McDermott back 12/06 after 2, 18 min since (121% of 15)
ATL availability going into 11/22 · back-to-backOUT Fernando missed 5 since 11/11, out tonight
OUT Mathews missed 3 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 9 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 9 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Forrest missed 3 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 13 since 10/25, out tonight
ATL availability going into 11/25 · 2 days' restOUT Fernando missed 6 since 11/11, returns tonight: 5 min (32% of 15)
OUT Mathews missed 4 since 11/15, returns tonight: 14 min (96% of 15)
OUT Gueye missed 10 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 10 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Forrest missed 4 since 11/15, returns tonight: 9 min (84% of 11)
OUT Mills missed 14 since 10/25, returns tonight: 5 min (46% of 11)
ATL availability going into 11/26 · back-to-backOUT Gueye missed 11 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 11 since 11/01, out tonight
BACK Fernando back 11/25 after 6, 5 min since (32% of 15)
BACK Mathews back 11/25 after 4, 14 min since (96% of 15)
BACK Forrest back 11/25 after 4, 9 min since (84% of 11)
BACK Mills back 11/25 after 14, 5 min since (46% of 11)
ATL availability going into 11/28 · 1 day's restOUT Gueye missed 12 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 12 since 11/01, out tonight
BACK Fernando back 11/25 after 6, 5 min since (32% of 15)
BACK Mathews back 11/25 after 4, 14 min since (96% of 15)
BACK Forrest back 11/25 after 4, 9 min since (84% of 11)
BACK Mills back 11/25 after 14, 5 min since (46% of 11)
ATL availability going into 11/30 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 2 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 13 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 13 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 2 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Fernando back 11/25 after 6, 4 min since (29% of 15)
BACK Mathews back 11/25 after 4, 9 min since (61% of 15)
BACK Forrest back 11/25 after 4, 7 min since (60% of 11)
ATL availability going into 12/02 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 3 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 14 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 14 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 3 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Fernando back 11/25 after 6, 4 min since (29% of 15)
BACK Mathews back 11/25 after 4, 10 min since (68% of 15)
BACK Forrest back 11/25 after 4, 7 min since (60% of 11)
ATL availability going into 12/06 · 3 days' restOUT Johnson missed 4 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Fernando missed 2 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 15 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 15 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Forrest missed 2 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Mills missed 4 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Mathews back 11/25 after 4, 10 min since (63% of 15)
ATL availability going into 12/08 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 5 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Fernando missed 3 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 16 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 16 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Forrest missed 3 since 11/30, returns tonight: 12 min (115% of 11)
OUT Mills missed 5 since 11/26, returns tonight: 17 min (157% of 11)
ATL availability going into 12/11 · 2 days' restOUT Johnson missed 6 since 11/26, out tonight
OUT Fernando missed 4 since 11/30, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 17 since 11/01, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 17 since 11/01, out tonight
BACK Forrest back 12/08 after 3, 12 min since (115% of 11)
BACK Mills back 12/08 after 5, 17 min since (157% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 121, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 20 free throws a game; Vassell at 20 and Wembanyama at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. 3 days' rest. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Young at 31 and Bogdanović at 19 a game. Without Johnson (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 31 and the defense, San Antonio allowing 121 a night to Atlanta's 130. Call it Atlanta 122, San Antonio 119, San Antonio keeping it close.
11/20 vs LAC 99-124 — SAS notes
SAS lost 99-124. SAS shot 43% (39 of 90) to LAC's 47%, 10 of 38 from three, and got to the line 14 times to LAC's 25. SAS turned it over 16 times to LAC's 7, and LAC turned those into 15 steals. Johnson led with 22 (9 of 16, 2 of 8 from three); Osman added 17, Collins 12. Q3 was theirs, 22-25, but the other 3 periods went 99-77 against them. Collins's -25 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/22 vs LAC 102-109 — SAS notes
SAS lost 102-109. SAS shot 38% (35 of 91) to LAC's 46%, 11 of 38 from three, and got to the line 23 times to LAC's 29. Wembanyama led with 22 (7 of 13, 7 of 7 at the line); Sochan added 19, Vassell 18. Q2 was theirs, 34-28, the deficit cut from 12 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 81-68 against them. Osman's -18 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/24 @ GSW 112-118 — SAS notes
SAS lost 112-118. SAS took 19 more shots (100 to 81), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to GSW's 49%, 12 of 47 from three, and got to the line just 12 times against 18 fouls committed. SAS turned it over 19 times to GSW's 24. Vassell led with 24 (10 of 19, 4 of 10 from three); Wembanyama added 22, Johnson 22. Q1 was theirs, 35-32, but the other 3 periods went 86-77 against them. They led by as many as 10. Jones's -10 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/26 @ DEN 120-132 — SAS notes
SAS lost 120-132. SAS shot 45% (42 of 93) to DEN's 56%, 14 of 37 from three. The glass went 35-45 against them. Wembanyama led with 22 (7 of 17, 2 of 5 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Vassell added 19, Branham 15. Q4 was theirs, 36-25, the deficit cut from 23 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 107-84 against them. Johnson's -16 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/30 vs ATL 135-137 — SAS notes
SAS lost 135-137. SAS shot 54% (48 of 89) to ATL's 51%, 18 of 41 from three, and got to the line 23 times to ATL's 29. SAS turned it over 21 times to ATL's 10, and ATL turned those into 14 steals. The glass went 47-37 for them. Sochan led with 33 (12 of 14, 3 of 3 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Vassell added 25, Johnson 22. Q1 was theirs, 35-26, but the other 3 periods went 111-100 against them. They led by as many as 15. Champagnie's -6 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/01 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 28 free throws a game; Williamson at 29 and Ingram at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Vassell at 22 and Wembanyama at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 110 a night to San Antonio's 124 and the line, where New Orleans takes 28 free throws a game to San Antonio's 20. Call it New Orleans 121, San Antonio 110, New Orleans by 11.
12/06 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Towns at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Edwards (2 straight), McDaniels (6 straight). 3 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 22 and Vassell at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without McDermott (2 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 106 a night to San Antonio's 123 and the line, where Minnesota takes 25 free throws a game to San Antonio's 20. Call it Minnesota 119, San Antonio 109, Minnesota by 10.
12/08 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Vassell at 21 and Wembanyama at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; DeRozan at 25 and White at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without LaVine (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Chicago allowing 115 a night to San Antonio's 122 and the arc, Chicago at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 34. Call it Chicago 115, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
12/11 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sengun at 22 and Ja. Green at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Thompson (15 straight), Whitmore (2 straight). 2 days' rest. San Antonio comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 123, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 19 and Vassell at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-5 a night and San Antonio minus-4 and the defense, Houston allowing 114 a night to San Antonio's 123. Call it Houston 118, San Antonio 110.
11/22 vs BKN 147-145 — ATL notes
ATL won 147-145 in 1 overtime. ATL shot 44% (51 of 116) to BKN's 49%, 18 of 49 from three. Young led with 43 (12 of 31, 8 of 16 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Hunter added 25, Murray 20. The hinge was Q1, 45-33: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Bogdanović was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
11/25 @ WAS 136-108 — ATL notes
ATL won 136-108. ATL shot 51% (52 of 102) to WAS's 49%, 18 of 37 from three, and went to the line 20 times to WAS's 12 — 14 points from the stripe to their 12. ATL turned it over 9 times to WAS's 20. Young led with 26 (9 of 17, 5 of 8 from three); Hunter added 20, Bogdanović 15. The hinge was Q3, 37-20: a lead of 12 became 29, and the lead reached 36. Young was the night's best plus/minus at +40.
11/26 @ BOS 103-113 — ATL notes
ATL lost 103-113. ATL shot 41% (36 of 88) to BOS's 44%, 19 of 53 from three. The glass went 43-58 against them. Young led with 33 (12 of 27, 6 of 16 from three, 3 of 6 at the line); Hunter added 24, Bogdanović 23. Q3 was theirs, 29-21, the deficit cut from 16 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 92-74 against them. Bey's -16 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/28 @ CLE 105-128 — ATL notes
ATL lost 105-128. ATL took 8 more shots (101 to 93), fed by 14 offensive rebounds, but shot 35% to CLE's 54%, 13 of 44 from three, and went to the line 24 times to CLE's 17 — 22 points from the stripe to their 15. ATL turned it over 10 times to CLE's 16. The glass went 44-55 against them. Bogdanović led with 18 (6 of 16, 4 of 10 from three); Hunter added 18, Bey 14. Q1 was theirs, 33-29, but the other 3 periods went 99-72 against them. They led by as many as 12. Young's -27 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/30 @ SAS 137-135 — ATL notes
ATL won 137-135. ATL shot 51% (49 of 96) to SAS's 54%, 14 of 33 from three, and went to the line 29 times to SAS's 23 — 25 points from the stripe to their 21. ATL turned it over 10 times to SAS's 21. The glass went 37-47 against them. Young led with 45 (15 of 29, 2 of 9 from three, 13 of 16 at the line); Murray added 24, Bogdanović 14. The hinge was Q4, 36-30: ATL came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 2. ATL trailed 62-66 at the half and won the second half 75-69. Bogdanović was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
12/02 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 119, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 29 and Lillard at 28 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Crowder (10 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Young at 32 and Hunter at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Johnson (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-4 a night and Atlanta minus-6 and the defense, Milwaukee allowing 119 a night to Atlanta's 126. Call it Milwaukee 123, Atlanta 120, Atlanta keeping it close.
12/06 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 123, shooting 44 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Hunter at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Johnson (4 straight), Fernando (2 straight). 3 days' rest. Brooklyn comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bridges at 25 and Dinwiddie at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Simmons (12 straight), Clowney (4 straight), Wilson (13 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Brooklyn wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-8 a night and Atlanta minus-6 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 108 a night to Atlanta's 123. Call it Brooklyn 119, Atlanta 118, Atlanta keeping it close.
12/08 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 29 free throws a game; Embiid at 38 and Maxey at 30 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without House Jr. (5 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 124, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Young at 31 and Bogdanović at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Johnson (5 straight), Fernando (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Philadelphia has been plus-5 a night and Atlanta minus-7 and the line, where Philadelphia takes 29 free throws a game to Atlanta's 22. Call it Philadelphia 125, Atlanta 116.
12/11 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 127, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Murray at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Johnson (6 straight), Fernando (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Murray at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. 2 days' rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 117 a night to Atlanta's 127. Call it Atlanta 119, Denver 118, Denver keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SASCB C. Bassey
CO C. Osman
DV D. Vassell
JC J. Champagnie
JS J. Sochan
KJ K. Johnson
MB M. Branham
TJ T. Jones
VW V. Wembanyama
ZC Z. Collins
ATLBB B. Bogdanović
BO Bogdanovic
CC C. Capela
DH D. Hunter
DM D. Murray
GM G. Mathews
OO O. Okongwu
SB S. Bey
TY T. Young
WM W. Matthews
SAS/ATL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Young scores 45 as Hawks rally past Wembanyama, Sochan to hand Spurs 13th straight loss
SAN ANTONIO -- — Trae Young was practically unstoppable in the fourth quarter, but his defensive stop made the biggest impact against the San Antonio Spurs .
Young scored a season-high 45 points and drew a charge from Jeremy Sochan with 2.7 seconds left as the Atlanta Hawks handed the Spurs their 13th straight loss with a 137-135 victory on Thursday night.
“Trae taking a charge at the end of the game, it’s a big-time play,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “Just a hell of a play by Trae. It overshadowed what was a stellar offensive night.”
Sochan matched his career high with 33 points and Victor Wembanyama had 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for San Antonio, but it wasn't enough thanks to Young's play against Sochan.
“I knew he was going to try to get to the basket, it was a transition play,” Young said. “I was the only one back. I could only foul him or try to take a charge. So, I just slid over and tried to take a charge. Just one play, that was a big play for us but we all also made a lot of plays.”
The Spurs fell to 3-15 for the first time since Dec. 8, 1996. That poor start led to the dismissal of Bob Hill by then general manager Gregg Popovich, who stepped in to start his current 28-year run as San Antonio’s coach.
Young had 13 points in the fourth quarter, going 3 for 5 from the field and 7 for 8 on free throws to seal the win and snap the Hawks’ two-game skid.
“You get to fourth quarters, the great players take over and that’s been difficult for us,” Popovich said. “Trae had his way.”
Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray had 24 points and five steals in his third game against his former team. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 14 points.
Devin Vassell added 25 points and Keldon Johnson had 22. Sochan was 11 for 13 from the field but couldn’t lead the Spurs to their first win since consecutive victories over Phoenix on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2.
The Spurs dominated early behind Wembanyama, leading by as many as 15 points in the first half. San Antonio made its first six attempts in taking a 16-7 lead four minutes into the game.
Wembanyama was questionable to play with a tightness in his right hip, but the Spurs announced he was available 90 minutes prior to tip-off.
“We’re trying to protect him,” Popovich said. “He may not play tomorrow (at New Orleans). We’ll see how his hip came out of this one.”
There were no signs of soreness as Wembanyama scored eight points in that opening burst. He first bulled past Clint Capela for a layup and a foul and then drained a 3-pointer. Capela blocked Wembanyama’s next attempt to push past him, but the rookie regained possession and made a short jumper off the glass.
“Talented,” Murray said of Wembanyama. “Everything I heard about him was how much he works, gets his rest, he’s not out partying, and he really wants to be great. He’s with a great organization. I think they should be lucky to have somebody like that as well with his character at such a young age and his work ethic.”
Atlanta committed 19 fouls through the first three quarters but only had six in the fourth while limiting San Antonio to seven free throws in the period. The Spurs finished 21 for 23 on free throws.
“It’s a very good offensive team,” Wembanyama said. “There are many things we need to guard. To be honest, we still need to be 100% focused on the scouting report for the whole game. At the end, we suffered from it.”
Murray entered the game averaging 20.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists against the team that selected him with the 29th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Spurs veteran Doug McDermott missed the game due to an undisclosed illness. McDermott will have his jersey retired Saturday by Creighton University. McDermott was a three-time All-American while playing for the Blue Jays from 2010-14.