Victor Wembanyama produced the finest game of his young career on Wednesday night, scoring a career-high 52 points and taking a career-high 24 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs held on for a 112-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center.
The 22-year-old added eight blocks, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes. He made the free throw that put San Antonio ahead for good with 24.2 seconds left, and Kyrie Irving’s contested turnaround with three seconds left missed the mark.
San Antonio moved to 6-2 with a sixth straight win after opening the season 0-2. Dallas fell short despite a late rally, and the win was the second over the Mavericks this season for the Spurs.
Wembanyama shot 16 of 28 from the field and 19 of 23 from the free throw line. San Antonio outscored Dallas by 23 points while he was on the floor, and the Spurs were outscored by 22 points in the minutes he sat.
His previous career high was 50 points against Washington in 2024. Wednesday was the second 50-point game of his career, and the first time he had paired 50 points with 20 rebounds in a game.
Wembanyama sets a record pace in the first half
Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks by halftime, along with two assists and two steals. He became the first player in the play-by-play era, which began in 1997-98, to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a single half.
The first half gave an early sign of what the night would become. San Antonio closed the half with a 19-3 run, and Dallas spent the rest of the night chasing the lead.
During the halftime show, Charles Barkley was asked for his view of the first half and had little to say. The numbers only grew from there, and the second half brought the rebounds and blocks that completed the line.
He is the second player since blocks became an official statistic in 1973-74 to record at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game. Bob McAdoo did it in 1974. His eight blocks are the most in a 50-point game since blocks became official, and his 24 rebounds are the most in a 50-point game since Chris Webber had 51 points and 26 rebounds in 2001.
The second half tested San Antonio. Dallas trimmed the lead possession by possession, and the game stayed in reach until the final seconds. Wembanyama answered with points at the line and blocks that kept Dallas from taking control.
Wembanyama closes the game at the free throw line
Dallas cut into the lead through the second half and made the closing minutes tight. Wembanyama stayed at the centre of the San Antonio attack, scoring inside, drawing fouls and blocking shots at the other end.
His free throw with 24.2 seconds left gave the Spurs a one-point lead. Irving had a chance to win it for Dallas, but his contested turnaround in the closing seconds missed, and San Antonio held on.
Dylan Harper scored 21 points for San Antonio, Stephon Castle added 17 and De’Aaron Fox scored 10. Irving led Dallas with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
What the win means for the Spurs
The win was the second over Dallas this season for San Antonio. The Spurs have won six in a row, and the latest win came against a Dallas side that kept pushing until the final shot.
Wembanyama is averaging 25.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game this season. The numbers put him among the most productive players in the league at both ends of the floor, and Wednesday gave the clearest view yet of how far his game has come.
After the game, Wembanyama still found fault with his own play. “I wish I set better screens towards the end and made more free throws,” he told ESPN reporter Katie George. He also said the Spurs had done most things right, adding: “It was just relentless. We wanted it more tonight.”
San Antonio plays at Sacramento on Friday, while Dallas hosts Utah the same night. The schedule gives Wembanyama little time to rest on the performance, with the trip to Sacramento coming two nights later.