DALLAS — The season opener didn’t go the way the Mavericks hoped, as Victor Wembanyama put on a show at American Airlines Center, dropping 40 points and 15 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a dominant 125-92 victory over Dallas. It marks the first time since 2019 that the Spurs have beaten the Mavericks in back-to-back games.
Despite the loss, Anthony Davis delivered a strong performance in his Dallas debut, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block — marking his 382nd career 20-point double-double, passing Larry Bird for 19th all-time in NBA history. Davis made his presence felt early with 10 points and 5 rebounds in the opening quarter and notched his 80th career halftime double-double by intermission.
Rookie Cooper Flagg impressed in his first NBA game, posting 10 points, 10 rebounds, and a steal, becoming only the fifth Mavericks rookie to record a double-double in their debut. At 18 years and 305 days old, Flagg also became the second-youngest player in NBA history to make his debut, just two days older than LeBron James when he first took the court in 2003.
P.J. Washington Jr. added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while rookie guard Ryan Nembhard contributed 8 points and 5 assists, tying for the fourth-most assists by a Mavs rookie in their debut.
As a team, Dallas shot 9-of-21 from deep (.429 3FG%), marking the 13th time in franchise history the team has opened a season shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc — and the first time doing so in consecutive years since 2004-05. The Mavericks also converted 21-of-26 from the free-throw line (.808), something they managed only eight times last season.
For San Antonio, Wembanyama’s dominance was the story. His 40-point, 15-rebound outing marked the third time in his young career he’s reached those numbers in a single game — joining elite company with Karl Malone and Ralph Sampson as one of the few players to accomplish that feat within their first three seasons.
Dallas will look to regroup quickly as they head into Game 2, aiming to bounce back from a humbling home opener that showcased the brilliance of the league’s rising superstar and the promise of their own new era.
Next Up: Mavericks vs. Nuggets — Friday night at American Airlines Center.
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