Here’s what the newest member of the Spurs De’Aaron Fox and others had to say after the Spurs road win in Atlanta.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs picked up their first win of the Rodeo Trip, beating the Hawks 126-125. It also marked the debut of new Spur De’Aaron Fox.
Fox led the Spurs with 24 points and 13 assists. Victor Wembanyama finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Keldon Johnson finished with three points and two rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 13, and Chris Paul had 11 and nine assists.
Devin Vassell recorded 20 and three rebounds, and Jeremy Sochan added 15 and four rebounds. Stephon Castle had 11. Julian Champagnie recorded five points.
Head coach Gregg Popovich was also out due to illness. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson will continue to assume head coaching duties for the game. Charles Bassey did not suit up due to injury.
The Spurs are 22-26 this season and will face the Hornets on Friday night.
Here’s a sample of what the teams said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“The potential is tantalizing. He’s (Fox) dynamic. He’s going to unlock a whole different element of our team, and there’s still a ton to work on and improve upon. So I think, as a coach, to be able to have both those things and get a win.”
“When I came in, everybody told me to be myself. Not to come in and just try to fit it. But the way that I play, I feel like I’m unselfish. I feel I’ve always been in position to where I had to score a lot of points, and you have a lot of guys like that. Obviously, Steph (Castle) is continuing to learn, and Dev (Vassell) has had big games as well. But when you have guys that are able to get downhill to create their own shot and also create for others, it makes the game so much easier.”
“But our defense has been our staple all year long. Obviously, adding Fox, we’ll play a little differently. So we’re just going to try to figure it out. Right?”
Wembanyama:
“This is factual progress. Of course, 22 wins should have come earlier. Every year we have to step up. Almost all of us, are really young on the team. So there’s no other way than getting better and growing up.”
Quin Snyder:
Trae Young: