Hawks fall to Spurs, end SL 3-3

[Hawksman]

In a game the Hawks had in hand until the closing minutes, the Hawks closed summer league with an 88-85 loss to the Reebok Pro Summer League champion San Antonio Spurs.

Hansen

Both teams struggled to get out of the gate for the 11 a.m. start, but the Spurs ended the first up three at 16-13.

The Hawks played a solid offensive second quarter, outscoring San Antonio, 30-26, behind six points each from Travis Hansen, Tahj Holden, Damon Thornton and Charles Smith. Atlanta shot 57.1 percent in the period, and committed just two turnovers.

The third quarter was a seesaw affair, with Tommy Adams heating up for Atlanta with a 13-point quarter (5-6 FGs, 3-3 3FGs). Atlanta went into the fourth quarter up four at 70-66.

The Hawks held the led throughout the fourth, holding a seven-point advantage (85-78) with 3:34 to go in the game.

But the Spurs mounted one last run, scoring the game's final 10 points, amidst numerous Hawks turnovers, to steal the win and finish summer league at a perfect 6-0.

The Hawks did have one last shot to tie the game, but Hansen misfired on a three-point attempt as time expired.

Charles Smith, who averaged a team-high 11.5 ppg during summer league, led the Hawks with 15 points in 20 minutes off the bench. Adams finished with 13, Hansen was next with 12 and Corey Benjamin put in 10 points in 11 minutes.

Ernest Brown (22 points) paced San Antonio, followed by Nate Johnson (16), Damone Brown (14) and Kaspers Kambala (10).

Atlanta finished summer league at 3-3.