Victor Wembanyama dominated with 40 points as the San Antonio Spurs spoiled Cooper Flagg’s debut, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 119–91 at home on Wednesday.
Wembanyama recorded a monster double-double, adding 15 rebounds to his 40 points, along with three blocks and one steal, while shooting an efficient 15-of-21 from the field and controlling the game on both ends of the court.
Devin Vassell contributed 13 points and four assists, and Stephon Castle added 22 points and six assists to help secure the road win.
For the Mavericks, Flagg scored 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds while committing three turnovers. Anthony Davis led the team with 22 points and 13 rebounds, and Klay Thompson contributed 10 points.
Fans couldn’t stop reacting to Wembanyama’s jaw-dropping season debut.
San Antonio held a slim nine-point lead at halftime after a back-and-forth first half. Flagg finished the half without a bucket or an assist but pulled down six rebounds, while Wembanyama was already up to 21 points and eight rebounds.
The Spurs pulled away in the third, opening a 21-point lead and cruising through a dominant fourth quarter. Although Flagg sparked a late rally in his game, it was too little, too late for the Mavericks, who had allowed San Antonio to build a lead they couldn’t overcome.
With the win, the Spurs improved to 1–0 to start the season and will aim to extend their momentum on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will try to rebound at home Friday when they host the Washington Wizards.
