Wembanyama hits decisive free throw as Spurs hold off Hawks 126-125 in Fox's debut

Wembanyama hits decisive free throw as Spurs hold off Hawks 126-125 in Fox’s debut

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San Antonio Spurs De’Aaron Fox (4) reacts to play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against Atlanta Hawks Dominick Barlow during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) passes against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs De’Aaron Fox (4) works against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) moves past Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against San Antonio Spurs Dominick Barlow during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) vies for a rebound against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) moves past San Antonio Spurs De’Aaron Fox (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots against San Antonio Spurs De’Aaron Fox (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) moves against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) passes around San Antonio Spurs De’Aaron Fox (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) vie for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Lauren Irving sings the national anthem before an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

By CHARLES ODUM

ATLANTA (AP) — Victor Wembanyama broke a tie with a free throw with 2.4 seconds left and De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points in his first game for San Antonio, leading the Spurs to a 126-125 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Fox arrived from Sacramento in a three-team trade Sunday and started in his San Antonio debut as Wembanyama’s new point guard.

Wembanyama, who also had 24 points, intentionally missed the second free throw, denying Atlanta the opportunity for an inbounds play. Trae Young missed a last-second 3-pointer.

Wembanyama added 12 rebounds. Fox matched his season high with 13 assists.

Young had 32 points with 12 assists for Atlanta. Onyeka Okongwu had a career-high 30 points.

The Spurs led by 20 points early in the second half but had to withstand the Hawks’ comeback attempt. De’Andre Hunter’s 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining pulled the Hawks to 123-121. Young made two free throws to tie it at 123 and hit a jumper for another tie at 125.

Takeaways

Spurs: One night after having his No. 24 jersey retired at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee near Atlanta, Devin Vassell scored 20 points and matched his career high with four steals. Julian Champagnie set a career high with five steals.

Hawks: Okongwu scored 13 points and Young had 11 in the third quarter as the Hawks outscored the Spurs 43-31.

Key moment

After leading only 22-21, the Spurs pulled away with an 11-2 run that was sparked by back-to-back layups from Jeremy Sochan.

Key stat

San Antonio led 72-54 at halftime to set a season high for points in a first half.

Up next

Both teams play Friday night. The Spurs are at Charlotte as they complete a three-game tour of the South. The Hawks host Milwaukee.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba