Wembanyama scores 52 with 24 rebounds as the Spurs edge the Mavericks

Victor Wembanyama had the best game of his career on Wednesday night. He scored 52 points, grabbed 24 rebounds and blocked eight shots, and the Spurs held off the Mavericks 112-111 at Frost Bank Center for their sixth win in a row.

Both the points and the rebounds were career highs. The Spurs say he is the first player with at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocks in a game since the NBA began tracking blocks in 1973-74.

How it went

Wembanyama scored 10 of San Antonio's first 12 points on two dunks and six free throws, and he had 15 points and nine rebounds after one quarter. By halftime he had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. He's the first player since the 1996-97 season, when play-by-play tracking began, with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a single half.

Dallas did its damage when he sat. The Mavericks went on a 12-1 run after he went to the bench three minutes into the second quarter and cut the lead to 49-48. Later in that quarter he blocked three shots on one possession in 13 seconds, two from Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington that went out of bounds and a third that De'Aaron Fox recovered.

The finish was tight. Wembanyama had two putbacks in the final 2:39 but made only 1 of 4 free throws in the last 2:10. Irving had a chance to win it and missed a contested 15-footer with three seconds left.

Top performers

1. Victor Wembanyama, SA: 52 points, 24 rebounds, 8 blocks, 16 of 28 from the field and 19 of 23 at the line.
2. Kyrie Irving, DAL: 29 points on 9-of-27 shooting.
3. Naji Marshall, DAL: 22 points, 9 of 12 shooting.
4. Dylan Harper, SA: 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting.
5. P.J. Washington, DAL: 21 points and 10 rebounds.
6. Stephon Castle, SA: 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Flagg scored 19 for Dallas.

Why it matters

San Antonio was plus-23 with Wembanyama on the floor and minus-22 without him, a gap that fits the case he made on 60 Minutes this week when he said he should win MVP. The Spurs are 6-2. Dallas is 4-4.

The Spurs play at Sacramento on Friday. The Mavericks host Utah the same night.