A historic first half in San Antonio
Victor Wembanyama produced career bests of 52 points and 24 rebounds, adding eight blocks, as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on Wednesday night. The 7-foot-4 center from France had already compiled 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks by halftime, a combination no player had recorded in a single half since the NBA's play-by-play era started in 1996-97.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5]
San Antonio led by 23 points during Wembanyama's time on the floor. He connected on 16 of 28 field-goal attempts, including seven dunks, but made only one of eight tries from beyond the arc. The Spurs swept a three-game homestand and have not lost since falling to Oklahoma City and Houston in their first two games of the season.[S1]
Illness, a rolled ankle and a late return
Wembanyama has been dealing with a virus and said he had not felt well for some time, though he sensed his legs returning during the game. He turned his ankle after stepping on the foot of Dallas guard Walter Clayton Jr. and left with 9:11 remaining, stretching his foot and ankle on the bench before checking back in with 6:05 left.[S1]
He converted two putbacks inside the final 2:39 and, after missing his first three free throws in the last 2:10, sank one with 24 seconds to play that provided the final margin. Kyrie Irving missed a 15-footer with three seconds left that would have changed the outcome. Wembanyama said his shooting was off and that this pushed him toward a tiring style of play, while insisting he can perform at a higher level once his shot returns.[S1]
Teammates and opponents react
Dylan Harper, the Spurs point guard, described Wembanyama as Superman and said he had never witnessed anything like the way his teammate rose immediately after the ankle roll, crediting his conditioning, mobility work and treatment. Irving said Wembanyama was clearly affecting the game for San Antonio and noted that his aggression had been building over recent outings.[S1]
The outing came three days after Wembanyama was named Western Conference Player of the Week, and he said he hopes to claim the honor again, describing a weekly award as his aim. He has averaged 32.5 points during the six-game streak. Early on he scored 10 of San Antonio's first 12 points, and in the second quarter he blocked three shots within 13 seconds on a single possession.[S1]
