Wembanyama scores career-high 52 points as Spurs edge Mavericks 112-111

Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 52 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on Wednesday. He also had 24 rebounds and eight blocks, according to both BBC Sport and ESPN.

His previous best was 50 points in 2024. The 22-year-old is the first player in 52 years with at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game.

Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the first half. Dallas rallied in the second half, but San Antonio held on.

How the game unfolded

According to ESPN, the game was played at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, and the Spurs led 68-51 at halftime. ESPN reported that Wembanyama made all 15 of his first-half free throws.

ESPN also reported that he rolled his right ankle with 9:11 left and went to the bench with San Antonio leading 94-87. He returned after a Cooper Flagg alley-oop dunk cut the lead to 100-99 with 6:05 left. He then scored 10 points down the stretch, according to ESPN.

BBC Sport reported that Wembanyama made the winning free throw and that Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 29 points. It said San Antonio improved to a 6-2 record.

According to ESPN, the 24 rebounds were also a career high. It said his eight blocks were the most in a 50-point performance since blocks became an official statistic in 1973-74.

What is disputed

The two reports differ on how Wembanyama described his illness. BBC Sport quoted him as saying, "I've been sick for a while." ESPN quoted him as saying, "I'm sick."

ESPN's account of a second-quarter sequence is also unclear. It reported that Wembanyama blocked three straight shots, from Flagg, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. The same account says Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox "collected the third block of the sequence".

What each side says

BBC Sport quoted Wembanyama as saying: "Today I felt like I got my legs back, so it should be more like this more often." Asked about his sore ankle, he said he was "feeling fine", according to ESPN.

ESPN quoted Spurs coach Mitch Johnson as saying: "We're starting to finally play the brand of basketball that we know how and how we should play."

The reports do not include any comment from Mavericks players or coaches. They also do not include a medical assessment of Wembanyama's ankle, or an official box score or NBA statement confirming the statistics and records.

Analysis

The performance places Wembanyama in rare statistical company, but it is a single game, and San Antonio's record stands at 6-2, according to BBC Sport. Two questions remain open: his right ankle and his illness. If neither lingers, his own remarks suggest he expects more games like this one. If either does, his availability or form could be affected. ESPN's figures show a wide gap in San Antonio's results with him on and off the floor, yet one game cannot establish how much the team depends on him.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.