Key points

• Victor Wembanyama scored a regular-season career-high 52 points and grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-111.
• Wembanyama sank the winning free throw with 24.2 seconds left and added eight blocked shots.
• He became the first player in 30 seasons to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in one half.
• The win was San Antonio's sixth in a row, on a night when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 and Luka Doncic scored 40.
• The Philadelphia 76ers moved to 8-1 at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 112-106 win at Detroit.

Victor Wembanyama produced the performance of the young NBA season on Wednesday night, scoring a regular-season career-high 52 points and grabbing a career-high 24 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 for their sixth straight victory.

The French star sank the winning free throw with 24.2 seconds left, the last of his 52 points, and added eight blocked shots in a display that had the basketball world reaching for the record books. It was a night that belonged to the big men, and Wembanyama was the biggest of them all.

A historic night in San Antonio

Wembanyama shot 16 of 28 from the field and made 19 of 23 free throws in 34 minutes. His 52 points and 24 rebounds were both regular-season career highs, and he became the first player in the past 30 seasons to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots in one half of play.

The numbers only tell part of the story. Wembanyama's combination of size, skill and timing makes him unlike any player in the league, and against Dallas he showed all of it: scoring from the post and the perimeter, dominating the glass, and protecting the rim with eight blocks.

Afterwards, Wembanyama was typically understated about his performance. "I can still do more," he said, a remark that will concern the rest of the league as much as it excites Spurs fans.

How the Spurs survived the comeback

The game was far from comfortable for San Antonio. The Spurs led by 19 points early in the third quarter before Dallas fought back, taking the lead at 103-100 on a P.J. Washington three-pointer with 5:38 to play. The lead then seesawed, with Dallas' Naji Marshall tying the game at 111 with a jumper from beyond the arc with 1:41 remaining.

Wembanyama's deciding free throw put the Spurs back in front, and the Mavericks called a timeout to set up a final shot. Kyrie Irving, who led Dallas with 29 points, missed a contested turnaround jumper in the lane with 2.5 seconds left, and time ran out.

Marshall had 22 points off the bench for Dallas, Washington added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Cooper Flagg contributed 19 points and 10 boards. But the night belonged to Wembanyama, and the win keeps San Antonio's perfect run going.

The other stars of the night

Wembanyama was not the only star to shine on a 14-game slate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points with eight assists as Oklahoma City completed a home-and-home sweep of Cleveland, winning 124-116 at home, two nights after he had scored 43 in Cleveland.

Luka Doncic scored at least 40 points for the third straight game, finishing with 40 as the Los Angeles Lakers won 116-103 in Sacramento for their third straight victory. Nikola Jokic recorded another triple-double as Denver beat Toronto 128-109.

Philadelphia won the night's first heavyweight game, beating Detroit 112-106 behind Jaylen Brown's 30 points and Joel Embiid's 26, moving to 8-1 at the top of the Eastern Conference. The reigning champion New York Knicks scored their biggest win of the season, routing Chicago 135-105 at Madison Square Garden behind Jalen Brunson's 33 points.

What it means

For the Spurs, the win is about more than one night. Six straight victories, a superstar playing at a historic level, and a team growing in confidence — San Antonio looks like a genuine force this season, not just a curiosity.

For Wembanyama, the performance is a statement. At 22, he is already producing nights that belong in the record books, and the gap between what he is and what he could become is the most exciting question in the sport. For more on the game, read our basketball positions explained guide, and for the season's opening weeks see our report on the NBA opening week.

FAQ

How many points did Victor Wembanyama score against Dallas?

Wembanyama scored a regular-season career-high 52 points, on 16-of-28 shooting, and made 19 of 23 free throws. He also grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds and blocked eight shots.

What record did Wembanyama set?

He became the first player in the past 30 seasons to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots in one half of play.

What was the final score of Spurs vs Mavericks?

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-111. Wembanyama sank the winning free throw with 24.2 seconds left, and Kyrie Irving missed a final shot for Dallas.

How many games in a row have the Spurs won?

The win over Dallas was San Antonio's sixth straight victory.