Victor Wembanyama had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help the visiting San Antonio Spurs to a 126-98 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
The win gave San Antonio a sweep of the two-game season series. The Spurs have won four straight against the Hawks and improved to 10-5 on the road. Atlanta has lost six of its last eight games, while the Spurs have won seven of nine.
Wembanyama, in his fourth game back since missing 12 games with a calf strain, played only 21:28. He was 10-for-15 from the field, 2-for-4 on 3-pointers, with three assists and two blocks, his 100th consecutive game with a block. It was his 10th double-double of the season.
San Antonio’s Devin Vassell scored 18 points with seven rebounds, Stephon Castle had 17 points and seven assists and Keldon Johnson added 13 off the bench.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 23 points and Jalen Johnson had 17 points and 11 for his 18th double-double.
The Hawks opted to rest Trae Young to help manage the stress on his right knee. Young missed 22 games with an MCL sprain and returned to action on Thursday night. He is expected to be available for Sunday’s home game against Chicago.
The Spurs wasted little time jumping on the Hawks, who were still reeling from a 133-126 at Charlotte on Thursday. Castle scored 10 to spark San Antonio to a 32-19 lead.
Wembanyama entered the game at 6:15 in the first quarter and began to make the most of his limited minutes. He scored 14 points in the first half to help the Spurs take a 68-44 halftime lead.
Atlanta shot poorly from the floor in the first half, making only 33.3 percent from the field, including 22.7 percent (5-for-22) from deep. The Hawks finished the game at 40.4 percent and 25 percent on 3-point attempts.
Wembanyama scored nine points in the third quarter as San Antonio outscored the Hawks 34-28 and took a 102-72 lead into the final quarter. The Spurs pulled their starters with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
