NBA: Spurs make key plays late to down Hawks in OT

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates in the second half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama racked up 42 points and Chris Paul had a key four-point play late in regulation and a decisive 3-pointer with 20 seconds left in overtime as the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the visiting Atlanta Hawks 133-126 in the NBA on Thursday.

With Atlanta up by three points late in regulation, Paul sank a 3-pointer, was fouled and hit the free throw to give San Antonio a 119-118 lead with 56.5 seconds left. Wembanyama sank 1 of 2 free throws with 17.4 seconds left to make it a two-point game.

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The Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter drove the lane for a dunk over Wembanyama with 11.1 seconds remaining to tie the game. After a Spurs turnover, Trae Young was short on a jumper contested by Wembanyama with two seconds left, sending the game into the extra period.

Wembanyama’s 3-pointer at the 1:52 mark of overtime put the Spurs ahead for good and was followed by a layup by Keldon Johnson with 1:35 left to push the advantage to four points. Paul’s 3-pointer with 19.5 seconds to go finished off Atlanta and clinched San Antonio’s third win in its last four games.

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) holds the ball away from Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) in overtime at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Devin Vassell added 23 points for the Spurs while Jeremy Sochan had 20, Paul finished with 12 and Keldon Johnson hit for 11 points.

Hunter scored 27 points to lead Atlanta, which took its third defeat in four games. Young added 23 points and 16 assists, Jalen Johnson hit for 22 points, Larry Nance Jr. tallied 21 points and 13 rebounds and Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 10 points each for the Hawks.

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The Spurs led 36-29 at the end of the first quarter. The lead changed hands five times in the second period with the Hawks producing an 11-point advantage before pulled San Antonio within 66-60 at the break.

Wembanyama poured in 24 points to lead all scorers before halftime while Vassell added 10 for the Spurs. Hunter and Nance, both from off the bench, had 12 points to lead Atlanta before the break.

The Spurs rallied to an 85-80 lead after Julian Champagne’s 3-pointer with 2:38 to play in the third quarter. San Antonio was up 90-87 heading to the fourth period. –Field Level Media