04/10/26 09:43:00
Printable Page
04/10 21:42 CDT Victor Wembanyama has 40 points, 13 rebounds in 65th game to
lead Spurs past Mavericks 139-120
Victor Wembanyama has 40 points, 13 rebounds in 65th game to lead Spurs past
Mavericks 139-120
By RAUL DOMINGUEZ
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) --- Victor Wembanyama had 40 points and 13 rebounds in his
65th game to become eligible for NBA awards, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the
Dallas Mavericks 139-120 on Friday night.
De'Aaron Fox had 18 points and 10 assists and Keldon Johnson had 17 points for
San Antonio.
Rookie Cooper Flagg had 33 points, six rebounds and five assists for Dallas,
which has lost 11 of 13.
After opening the season with a 40-point game against Dallas, Wembanyama
reached 40 for the fifth time in what could be his regular-season finale.
The NBA requires a minimum of 65 games played to be eligible for season-long
awards and Wembanyama got there in San Antonio's penultimate game.
The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, who leads the league with 197 blocks, is favored to
win Defensive Player of the Year, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
He missed Wednesday's 112-101 victory over Portland after suffering a left rib
contusion during the first half of Monday's 115-102 win over Philadelphia.
Wembanyama quickly showed he was fine by stepping through three defenders to
throw down a right-handed dunk to open the scoring. He added another dunk and a
step-back 3-pointer while scoring 16 points in the opening period.
The Spurs won the Southwest Division for the first time since 2017 and have
secured the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. San Antonio opens the
postseason against a team that makes it through the play-in tournament ---
either Phoenix, the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland.
San Antonio closes its regular season at home Sunday against Denver.
Spurs guard Stephon Castle remains out with left foot soreness. Coach Mitch
Johnson said Castle is close to returning.
Up next
Mavericks: Host Chicago on Sunday.
Spurs: Host Denver on Sunday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
|
