LOS ANGELES (AFP) — De’Aaron Fox celebrated his National Basketball Association (NBA) season-debut with a sparkling 24-point performance in the San Antonio Spurs’ 126-119 victory over New Orleans on Saturday as the Los Angeles Lakers’ five-game winning streak ended in a sloppy loss in Atlanta.

All-Star guard Fox, who missed San Antonio’s first eight games recovering from a hamstring injury, scored 24 points to lead eight Spurs players in double figures.

French star Victor Wembanyama added 18 points and 18 rebounds as the Spurs withstood a 41-point outburst from New Orleans’ Trey Murphy.

The Spurs led all the way against a Pelicans team playing without star big man Zion Williamson.

Fox missed his only two attempts in the first quarter, but that was enough to shake off the rust. He went six-for-six in the second period and had 15 points by half-time when the Spurs led, 66-58.

The Pelicans had cut a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to three in the final minute when Fox drove for a basket. He added two free throws on San Antonio’s next possession.

“Oh, I was extremely excited,” Fox said. 

“Obviously I’m just like anybody, I have nerves, but coming out here, man, my teammates trust me, I trust them... I’m just trying to help them get wins.”

The Lakers arrived in Atlanta riding a five-game winning streak behind the high-scoring efforts of Luka Doncic.

Doncic scored a game-high 22 points and handed out 11 assists, but he committed five of the 20 Lakers turnovers that led to 36 Hawks points.

“Just not a lot to like tonight,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Very disappointing.”

Forward Mouhamed Gueye scored 21 points with seven rebounds and seven assists for the Hawks, who were without ailing Kristaps Porzingis.

Also missing were the injured Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and offensive engine Trae Young, who is expected to miss several more weeks with a sprained knee.

The Lakers, missing Austin Reaves for a third straight game and still waiting for superstar LeBron James to make his season debut as he recovers from sciatica, trailed by as many as 30.