Spurs let 23-point lead slip in 123-116 preseason loss to Hawks

The San Antonio Spurs led by as many as 23 points and still lost their preseason opener, falling 123-116 to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night at Frost Bank Center.

A big start

The Spurs scored 39 points in the first quarter and held Atlanta to 20. Dylan Harper was the most efficient Spur on the night, finishing with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and four assists.

Atlanta cut into the margin with a 42-30 second quarter, leaving San Antonio ahead 69-62 at the break. The Hawks won the third quarter 31-26, and the Spurs carried a 95-93 lead into the fourth.

Atlanta's finish

The game was tied at 102 midway through the final period, and San Antonio last led at 109-108 after two Carter Bryant free throws with 6:01 remaining. The Hawks scored the next 13 points. Asa Newell, who played 14 minutes, scored 11 of his 16 points over the final 5:49.

Kingston Flemings had 15 points and five assists for Atlanta, and Dyson Daniels grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to go with 13 points. CJ McCollum made four of six 3-point attempts and scored 14.

Stephon Castle and David Jones Garcia each scored 14 for San Antonio. Keldon Johnson had seven rebounds, and Victor Wembanyama added nine points and six rebounds in 17 minutes. The Spurs turned the ball over 22 times.

Attendance was 18,354. The game was an exhibition and does not count toward the regular-season record.

Sources

ESPN