Wembanyama Scores Career-High 52 Points and Grabs 24 Rebounds as Spurs Edge Mavericks 112-111

SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 52 points and grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds, sinking the winning free throw with 24.2 seconds left as the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Wembanyama also blocked eight shots. He became the first player with at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game since Bob McAdoo in 1974, and the first player in the past 30 seasons with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in one half.

A 19-point lead slips away

The Spurs led by 19 points early in the third quarter before Dallas fought back. The Mavericks took the lead at 103-100 on a P.J. Washington three-pointer with 5:38 left, and the lead changed hands from there. Naji Marshall tied the game at 111 with a jumper with 1:41 remaining, and Wembanyama’s free throw put San Antonio back on top.

Dallas called a timeout to set up a final shot, but Kyrie Irving missed a contested turnaround jumper in the lane with 2.5 seconds left, and time ran out. Irving led Dallas with 29 points, Marshall had 22 off the bench, Washington had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Cooper Flagg had 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The numbers behind the night

Wembanyama had scored 50 points in a game before, and he had pulled down 20 rebounds before. His career high in blocks is 10. Wednesday was the first time he put all three together in one game.

Through eight games this season, Wembanyama is averaging career highs of 29 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 1.4 steals. San Antonio is 6-2. According to PBP Stats, the Spurs’ offense is 13 points better with Wembanyama on the floor, and the defense is 21 points better.

Even in a historic performance, there was room to grow: Wembanyama shot 1 of 8 from three-point range on Wednesday.

Reporting based on coverage by USA Today’s For The Win and the Associated Press.