Victor Wembanyama had the biggest night of his young career on Wednesday, Nov. 4, scoring a career-high 52 points and grabbing a career-high 24 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs held off the Dallas Mavericks 112-111. He also sank the winning free throw, according to BBC Sport.
The 22-year-old Frenchman finished 16-of-28 from the field, made just one of his eight 3-point attempts, and added eight blocked shots, two steals and two assists, ClutchPoints reported. The win was San Antonio’s sixth in a row, NBA.com said, and lifted the Spurs to 6-2.
How the game unfolded
Wembanyama dominated early. By halftime he already had 29 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and two steals, BBC Sport reported, and the Spurs built a lead of as many as 17 points in the first half.
Dallas did not go away. The Mavericks won the third quarter 29-22 and the fourth 31-22, turning a comfortable game into a one-possession finish, according to ClutchPoints. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 29 points and seven rebounds, and second-year star Cooper Flagg added 19 points and 10 rebounds after a tough first half.
San Antonio got help from its young backcourt. Dylan Harper scored 21 points with five rebounds, Stephon Castle had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and De’Aaron Fox added 10.
A line the NBA rarely sees
BBC Sport reported that Wembanyama is the first player in 52 years to post at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game, and only the fifth player since 1982 with 50 points and 20 rebounds. He was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year last season.
He also told reporters he had been sick for a while before this stretch.
I felt like I got my legs back.
Victor Wembanyama, as quoted by BBC Sport
Elsewhere around the league Wednesday
It was a 14-game night, and several other stars put up big numbers:
- 76ers 112, Pistons 106: Jaylen Brown scored 30 and Joel Embiid 26 as Philadelphia improved to 8-1, the NBA’s best record, AFP reported. LeBron James had 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Detroit fell to 6-2.
- Lakers 116, Kings 103: Luka Doncic scored 40. BBC Sport said he has 308 points through eight games, the first player to top 300 that fast since Michael Jordan in 1988-89.
- Knicks 135, Bulls 105: Jalen Brunson scored 33 as the reigning champions led by as many as 44 and evened their record at 4-4.
- Celtics 109, Bucks 102: Paul George had 25 and Derrick White 24 as Boston held on after Milwaukee scored 38 in the third quarter.
- Thunder 124, Cavaliers 116: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 for Oklahoma City.
- Nuggets 128, Raptors 109: Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
- Heat 117, Clippers 116 (OT): Bam Adebayo scored 35, and Klay Thompson made eight 3-pointers.
Why it matters
Early-season records can change fast, but Wednesday offered a snapshot of where things stand. San Antonio’s six-game streak and Philadelphia’s 8-1 start put both teams near the top of their conferences. Wembanyama’s night also adds to the debate over whether he can contend for MVP honors this season, not just defensive awards.
Dallas, meanwhile, showed it can rally against one of the West’s hottest teams, even if it came up a point short.
Why it matters for families
For young players, Wembanyama’s stat line is a good teaching moment. He made only one 3-pointer and still scored 52, largely by working near the basket, rebounding and defending. Effort plays such as boxing out and contesting shots show up in the box score too. Most NBA games air on regional sports networks and national TV, so check your local listings for the next Spurs game.
If your family is following football this fall too, catch up on the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2026 and the latest MLB award finalists.
What to watch next
The Spurs will try to stretch their winning streak, and fans will watch whether Wembanyama’s health keeps improving. Philadelphia’s league-best 8-1 start and Doncic’s scoring run are also worth following. Upstormed News will keep tracking the early NBA season.
Read more: Bears Beat Champion Seahawks 34-17 on MNF as Swift Scores Three Times
Was Wembanyama’s 52-and-24 night the most impressive game you’ve seen this season?
Sources: BBC Sport via Yahoo Sports, “Career-best Wembanyama display seals Spurs win” (November 5, 2026); ClutchPoints via Yahoo Sports, “Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama erupts for career-high 52 points in thriller vs. Mavericks” (November 5, 2026); AFP via Yahoo Sports, “Wemby magic powers Spurs past Mavs as Sixers roll on” (November 5, 2026); NBA.com, “Game Recap: Spurs 112, Mavericks 111” (November 5, 2026); Land of Basketball, “NBA Daily Summary: Nov 4, 2026” (November 4, 2026)
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