Victor Wembanyama, Spurs rout Mavs in Cooper Flagg's debut
(Reuters) - Victor Wembanyama turned in a highlight-reel performance with 40 points and 15 rebounds as the visiting San Antonio Spurs opened the season with a 125-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
Stephon Castle contributed 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for San Antonio, which led by as many as 33 and never trailed in the second half. Rookie Dylan Harper scored 15 points, Devin Vassell added 13 and Keldon Johnson had 11.
The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama began his third season with the fifth 40-point outing of his career while shooting 15 of 21 from the field with three blocks. The Spurs hit 57.5% from the field.
Anthony Davis had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas, which shot 37.3% from the field. P.J. Washington scored 17 points, and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg posted a double-double in his debut, scoring 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting and adding 10 rebounds. Klay Thompson chipped in 10 points.
Wembanyama had 21 points and eight rebounds in the first half for the Spurs, who took a 60-51 lead into intermission after closing on a 15-3 run.
Davis scored 12 points for Dallas before picking up his fourth foul with 1:45 left in the half.
The 18-year-old Flagg, the youngest player in the NBA, was held scoreless in the first half before scoring on a 20-foot jump shot to open the third quarter for his first career points.
The Mavericks pulled within 71-60 with 8:24 left in the period before San Antonio scored 11 straight points to take a 22-point lead.
The Spurs led 93-72 at the end of the third quarter and maintained control throughout the final period. Wembanyama grabbed a rebound with 8:46 left and dribbled the length of the court before throwing down one of his many dunks to give San Antonio a 103-76 lead.
Dallas struggled on both ends of the floor against Wembanyama, who made 9 of 11 free-throw attempts and did not commit a turnover in 30 minutes. The 21-year-old dazzled with no-look passes, reverse dunks and stellar defense.
Both teams began the season without their starting point guards. San Antonio's De'Aaron Fox is out with a right hamstring injury, while the Mavericks' Kyrie Irving will miss several months while recovering from a left ACL tear that occurred in March.
