Key Takeaways:
- Victor Wembanyama recorded 40 points and 15 rebounds as San Antonio defeated Dallas 125-92
- Cooper Flagg, making his NBA debut, registered 10 points and 10 rebounds but struggled to make an impact
- Wembanyama returned to competitive action after last season was cut short in February due to surgery for deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder
Match Overview
Victor Wembanyama produced a sensational performance to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a resounding 125-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, marking a memorable return to the regular season following shoulder surgery. The 2023 No. 1 pick tallied 40 points and 15 rebounds, breaking the Spurs’ record for points in a season opener, and delivered three blocks along with a host of spectacular dunks. His efforts helped the Spurs take control late in the first half and spoil the much-anticipated debut of Cooper Flagg for Dallas.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA TONIGHT:
40 POINTS
15 REBOUNDS
3 BLOCKS
0 TURNOVERS
15/21 FG
9/11 FTTHE FUTURE OF THE NBA 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DD2qRQ8LBA
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 23, 2025
Flagg’s Challenging First Outing
Dallas debutant Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, entered the record books as the second-youngest player to start in his NBA debut, narrowly behind LeBron James in 2003. The 18-year-old from Duke struggled to find his rhythm, going scoreless until the opening possession of the second half, and finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Flagg’s performance was overshadowed by fellow rookie Dylan Harper, who came off San Antonio’s bench midway through the first quarter to inject energy and contribute 15 points, helping establish the Spurs’ dominance.
| Team | Top Scorer | Points | Rebounds | Notable Rookie | Rookie Points | Rookie Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | Victor Wembanyama | 40 | 15 | Dylan Harper | 15 | 4 |
| Dallas Mavericks | Anthony Davis | 22 | 13 | Cooper Flagg | 10 | 10 |
Key Performances and Turning Points
Stephon Castle, reigning Rookie of the Year, contributed 22 points for San Antonio, further diminishing Dallas’s hopes. Wembanyama orchestrated a decisive 13-0 run late in the first half, showcasing an array of skills. After Harper’s contribution, Wembanyama drew a foul from Anthony Davis on a reverse dunk, then promptly added a jumper as Davis accrued his fourth personal foul, forcing him to the bench alongside Dereck Lively II.
For Dallas, Anthony Davis led the team with 22 points and 13 rebounds, amid the ongoing absence of key guard Kyrie Irving, who is expected to miss significant time as he recovers from ACL surgery.
