San Antonio, TX — The Atlanta Hawks used a balanced offensive attack and a decisive third-quarter surge to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 123-116 on Friday, October 9, 2026, in NBA preseason action at the Frost Bank Center. Atlanta led for much of the night, but had to withstand a determined San Antonio comeback in the final minutes to secure the seven-point win.

Match Overview

The Hawks set the tone early with quick ball movement and aggressive drives, building a small first-quarter lead. San Antonio answered with a stronger second period behind its interior scoring and transition opportunities, but Atlanta regained control after halftime. A 33-point third quarter gave the Hawks enough separation to survive a late Spurs run.

• First quarter: Hawks 31, Spurs 28
• Second quarter: Spurs 30, Hawks 29
• Third quarter: Hawks 33, Spurs 27
• Fourth quarter: Spurs 31, Hawks 30
• Final: Atlanta Hawks 123, San Antonio Spurs 116

Atlanta’s 123 points came on efficient shooting and a 26-24 assist edge. The Hawks also won the free-throw battle, hitting 21 of 25 attempts compared to San Antonio’s 17 of 22. The Spurs stayed within striking distance thanks to a strong night on the offensive glass and a 28-point performance from their leading scorer, but they could not fully close the gap in the final two minutes.

Key Moments

The game’s biggest swing arrived midway through the third quarter. With San Antonio trailing 84-75, the Spurs ripped off a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to three and bring the home crowd into the game. Atlanta responded immediately, however, with a 12-2 burst of its own, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from the wings. That sequence pushed the Hawks’ lead back to 13 and forced San Antonio to play catch-up the rest of the way.

In the fourth quarter, the Spurs made one last push. A pair of quick steals led to easy baskets, and a corner three trimmed the Atlanta advantage to 114-110 with just over three minutes left. But the Hawks settled down on offense, drew fouls on consecutive possessions, and knocked down six straight free throws to keep San Antonio at arm’s length. A late defensive stop and a fast-break dunk sealed the result.

Tactical Story

Atlanta’s offense thrived in transition and through early offense. The Hawks pushed the pace after misses, attacked the paint before San Antonio’s defense could set, and generated open looks from beyond the arc. Their 18 made three-pointers forced the Spurs to defend the full width of the floor, which opened driving lanes for their guards and created second-chance opportunities for their bigs.

San Antonio’s half-court offense was more deliberate. The Spurs leaned on their star big man in the post and used dribble hand-offs to create movement around the perimeter. That approach worked well in the second quarter, when they shot 54% from the field and briefly took the lead. But turnovers hurt them in the third. San Antonio finished with 16 giveaways, and Atlanta converted those into 21 points, a margin that proved critical in a seven-point game.

Standout Players

San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama led all scorers with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He was effective on both ends, altering shots at the rim and stepping out to hit two three-pointers. The Spurs also got a strong bench contribution, with their reserves combining for 38 points, but the starting backcourt struggled with efficiency, shooting a combined 11-of-31 from the field.

Atlanta’s backcourt controlled the game, combining for 51 points and 14 assists. The Hawks’ lead guard repeatedly broke down San Antonio’s defense in pick-and-roll situations, while their shooting guard punished help defense with timely three-point shooting. Atlanta’s bench added 34 points, giving the Hawks a balanced scoring profile that made them difficult to guard for a full 48 minutes.

What the Result Means

For Atlanta, the win is another positive step in preseason play. The Hawks showed they can score in a variety of ways and close out a tight game on the road, two traits that will matter once the regular season begins. Their transition offense and three-point volume fit the modern NBA style, and the coaching staff will be pleased with the poise shown in the final minutes.

For San Antonio, the loss highlights both the promise and the growing pains of a young roster. The Spurs competed hard, won stretches with their defense, and got a dominant individual performance from their franchise player. But the turnovers and late-game execution remain areas to clean up. This preseason head-to-head gave both teams a useful look at their rotations and lineup combinations before the games start counting.

Next Up

Both teams continue their preseason sch