WEMBANYAMA SCORES CAREER-HIGH 52 POINTS IN SPURS WIN OVER MAVERICKS

Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 52 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on Wednesday. The French forward sank the winning free throw with 24.2 seconds left, having also set personal bests of 24 rebounds and eight blocked shots. The result extended San Antonio's winning streak to six games and improved their record to 6-2. Wembanyama's previous career high was 50 points, scored in 2024. He made all 15 of his free throws in the game.

San Antonio led by 19 points early in the second half before Dallas rallied, taking a 103-100 lead on PJ Washington's three-pointer with 5:38 remaining. Naji Marshall tied the score at 111 with a three-pointer with 1:41 left, before Wembanyama's free throw put the Spurs back ahead. Dallas called a timeout for a final attempt, but Kyrie Irving missed a contested jumper with 2.5 seconds on the clock. Irving led the Mavericks with 29 points, while Marshall scored 22 off the bench and Washington added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Harper added 21 points for San Antonio.

Wembanyama became the fifth player since 1982 to record at least 50 points and 20 rebounds in a game, and the first in 52 years to add five blocks to that total. He reached half-time with 29 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and two steals, the first player in 30 seasons to reach those totals in a half. "I haven't been feeling great lately. I've been sick for a while," Wembanyama said. "Today I felt like I got my legs back, so it should be more like this more often." The Mavericks have now lost two straight games.