The Atlanta Hawks arrive in Las Vegas after a 2-1 run in the Salt Lake City Summer League. The highlight was a win over a talented Oklahoma City Thunder squad that featured 2026 first-round picks Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. The Hawks’ loss to the Utah Jazz came as a wire-to-wire defeat, but the debut of rookie guard Kingston Flemings softened the setback with 14 points and nine assists, holding his own against No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson. Tonight the Hawks face the San Antonio Spurs, looking to keep the positive trajectory.
Forward Zuby Ejiofor delivered a double-double against the Thunder, posting 19 points, 15 rebounds and three assists while converting three of eight three-point attempts. Despite a noticeable size disadvantage, Ejiofor battled Aday Mara in the paint and proved capable of finishing around the rim. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound on both ends gave the Hawks a balanced inside-out look that complemented Flemings’ playmaking.
The Hawks’ earlier victory over a Memphis Grizzlies team that was missing Cam Boozer and Cedric Coward provided a confidence boost heading into Las Vegas. On the Spurs side, coach Gregg Popovich is expected to sit first-round pick Jayden Quaintance, turning the focus to mid-first-round assets. Tarris Reed, the 26th-overall selection, will make his Las Vegas debut, while sophomore forward Carter Bryant is slated for a prominent role in the Spurs’ Summer League roster.
Tactically, Atlanta leans on the combination of Ejiofor’s interior presence and Flemings’ perimeter vision. Flemings’ ability to create offense in half-court sets will test the Spurs’ wing defense, while Ejiofor’s rebounding and occasional three-point shooting keep the Hawks’ spacing honest. San Antonio, meanwhile, will likely use Reed’s athleticism at the forward spot and Bryant’s versatility on the wing to generate mismatches. The battle in the paint between Ejiofor and Reed should dictate the tempo early in the game.
The contest streams on the NBA’s official platform later today. A strong performance from either Flemings or Ejiofor could earn them additional minutes in the next day’s slate, while a breakout showing from Reed or Bryant will give the Spurs a clearer picture of their depth options. A Hawks win would reinforce the momentum built in Salt Lake City and provide a positive narrative heading into training camp. For the Spurs, the game serves as a practical evaluation of how their mid-first-round picks adapt to NBA-style competition.
