Victor Wembanyama scored 52 points, collected 24 rebounds and blocked eight shots as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Dallas Mavericks 112–111 for their sixth consecutive victory. The Associated Press report carried by NBA.com said the points and rebounds were both career highs for the French centre.
A landmark first half
Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks by halftime. According to NBA.com, he became the first player in the play-by-play era, beginning in 1996–97, to reach at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in one half.
He shot 16-for-28 from the field, including seven dunks, while making one of eight three-point attempts. San Antonio outscored Dallas by 23 points during his minutes on court. He scored 10 of the Spurs’ first 12 points and finished the opening quarter with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The AP account also described three Wembanyama blocks in 13 seconds on a single Dallas possession late in the second quarter.
The narrow finish
In the fourth quarter he rolled an ankle after stepping on Walter Clayton Jr.’s foot, left the game and later returned. AP reported that he had also been dealing with a virus; it did not provide a subsequent ankle diagnosis or an expected absence.
Wembanyama made two putbacks in the final 2:39 and hit one free throw with 24 seconds left, supplying the final one-point margin. Kyrie Irving missed a shot with three seconds remaining.
San Antonio swept a three-game homestand and had not lost since opening the season with defeats to Oklahoma City and Houston. Wembanyama averaged 32.5 points over the six wins, according to NBA.com.