The score was clear: 123-135 for San Antonio, a team that this season plays with the feeling of having found something great. Maybe for a long time. Seven of the ten men who stepped on the court finished in double figures in scoring. Harrison Barnes scored 19 points, Stephon Castle scored 18. But the game had an owner.
Wembanyama put on his overalls and did it all. Five triples in nine attempts, 9 of 14 on field goals, 6 of 8 from the line. He added 29 points, 11 rebounds for a double-double, six assists and three blocks in 34 minutes. Constant presence. Continuous impact. He ruled in every corner.
Dallas left the locker room determined to die with his boots on. At half-time they were down eleven and cut it to 13-3 that shook the house. The Mavs came close, fought, but failed to complete the comeback. It is their sixth loss in a row and there are now fourteen at home, a heavy burden for a fan base that is beginning to notice the vertigo of change.
San Antonio had to balance two threats. The first, Flagg. The rookie responded as if he had been doing this for years: 32 points in 39 minutes. The second was Nazi Marshall, who had been warned by Jason Kidd that he could be transferred and celebrated his continuity with a great game of the same caliber. They shone, but the overall score fell on the visiting side.
The third quarter brought Dallas closer. At the start of the last period they got within one point on two occasions, both with baskets by Flagg. The rookie once again surpassed thirty for the fourth consecutive time, the youngest to do so. Michael Jordan, Bernard King, Allen Iverson and Jalen Green also did it in their first year, but none at 19.
The balance finally tipped with a three-pointer from Castle with five minutes remaining. From there, the Spurs They kept the advantage with coolness and free throws. Three wins in a row, seven in the last ten games and another derby just around the corner, on the night from Saturday to Sunday. San Antonio looks up, three away from the overall lead in the League, with the Thunder still five wins ahead. In Texas, the next blow already has a date.
