Victor Wembanyama had 29 points (8 during a 12-0 run in the second quarter) and 11 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 135-123.
The Spurs took control with a 21-4 run in the second quarter and led by as many as 13.
The Mavericks got within 120-119 on Naji Marshall’s 10-foot floater with 4:09 to play, but Stephon Castle answered with a 3-pointer, and the Mavericks got no closer.
During clutch time, the Spurs outscored the Mavericks 10-4. Early in the fourth quarter, Daniel Gafford had 2 of his 3 steals, both with the game within five points.
The Spurs had 7 players in double-digit scoring.
For the Mavericks, Marshall scored a season-high 32 points, and Cooper Flagg added 32 points (18 in the paint) and 3 blocks. Max Christie scored 20 points. Gafford had 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 blocks. The Mavericks had 2 30-point scorers.
The Spurs shot 50.5% from the field and 41.5% from 3 to the Mavericks’ 48.5% and 38.7%. They outscored the Mavericks 44-15 off the bench. The Spurs outscored the Mavericks 15-4 in 4 minutes with Barnes, Fox, Vassell, Wembanyama and Castle on the floor together. Gafford fouled out.