Hawks Routed by Spurs as Wembanyama Puts on a Show in Atlanta
The Atlanta Hawks tipped off a five-game homestand on Friday night, but things didn’t exactly go according to plan. What they got instead was a rough welcome from a young, hungry San Antonio Spurs squad that ran away with a blowout win at State Farm Arena - and made it look easy.
Let’s start with the obvious: Trae Young was out again. Atlanta’s franchise point guard hasn’t been a regular in the lineup for nearly two months, and while he did make a return the night before in Charlotte - logging 8 points and 10 assists in a 133-126 loss - he was held out on the second night of the back-to-back. The team is clearly easing him back into action, and for now, that means no back-to-backs.
Without Young, the Hawks have managed to stay competitive, and a big reason for that is the breakout season from Jalen Johnson. The third-year forward has taken a star turn, leading Atlanta in scoring (23.7 PPG), rebounding (10.5 RPG), and assists (8.2 APG).
He’s not just stuffing the stat sheet - he’s rewriting the franchise record books with both single-season and career triple-double marks. That’s no small feat.
But even Johnson couldn’t save the Hawks from what unfolded Friday night.
San Antonio came out swinging, jumping to a 32-19 lead after the first quarter behind a hot start from Devin Vassell, who knocked down three of his first four from deep and finished the quarter with 11 points. Atlanta struggled to close the gap from there. The Spurs kept their foot on the gas, pushing the lead to as much as 19 before halftime.
The Hawks tried to show some fight to open the third, stringing together a quick 5-0 run. But it didn’t last.
San Antonio answered right back and stretched the lead past 20 midway through the quarter. Local fans may have recognized a familiar face in Spurs rookie Stephon Castle - the former Newton High School standout - who made his mark with a trip to the free-throw line and a strong drive to the basket before heading to the bench.
And then there was Victor Wembanyama.
If anyone in the building hadn’t yet seen the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 unicorn in action, they got their money’s worth. The third-year big man - already an NBA All-Star and a key figure for the French national team - put on a full display of his unique skill set.
He dunked. He blocked shots.
He stepped out and hit threes. He ran the floor like a guard and defended like a seasoned rim protector.
It was the kind of performance that reminds you why the league is so high on him.
When Wembanyama checked out with just under 11 minutes to go in the fourth, he had already racked up 25 points and 12 rebounds. The Spurs were cruising, up 107-74, and the game was all but over.
For Atlanta, this was a tough start to a key stretch of home games. They’ll try to regroup quickly, with back-to-back matchups against the Chicago Bulls coming up - first on Sunday, then again on Tuesday, December 23.
If the Hawks want to make a push in the East, they’ll need to find some rhythm - and fast. Whether that comes with Trae Young back in full swing or more heavy lifting from Jalen Johnson, something’s got to click. Because Friday night showed what happens when it doesn’t.