Wembanyama tallies career-high 52 points as Spurs escape Mavericks

MANILA, Philippines — Victor Wembanyama produced a career-high 52-point performance as the San Antonio Spurs battled past the Dallas Mavericks, 112-111, on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time).

French superstar Wembanyama, whose previous best was a 50-point display in 2024, dominated at both ends of the court to power San Antonio to their sixth win of the season.

Wembanyama's masterpiece included a record-breaking first half that saw him reach the interval with 29 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and two steals.

The 22-year-old would go on to finish with 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks as San Antonio held off a ferocious second-half rally to claim victory.

Wembanyama, who was backed by 21 points from Dylan Harper and 17 from Stephon Castle, praised San Antonio's "relentless" approach.

"We did mostly the right thing, the most ambitious," Wembanyama told ESPN. "It was just relentless. We wanted it more tonight."

Asked about his own performance, Wembanyama replied: "It's very good because I'm trying to show the example."

Team-mate Harper paid tribute to Wembanyama's professionalism.

"Just the mentality, the dedication, the discipline he has every day that he comes into the gym with is unmatched," Harper told ESPN.

Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks scoring with 29 points, including five 3-pointers.

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