San Antonio fans chanted MVP, and their young star gave them every reason to. On a night full of records, the French center delivered one of the greatest performances of his young career.
Victor Wembanyama scored 52 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, both career highs, as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 112 to 111 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026.
How did Wembanyama get to 52 points?
Wembanyama, 22, scored 10 of San Antonio’s first 12 points and had 29 by halftime in less than 17 minutes on the court. Only the 37 points he scored in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers in February topped it.
He made all 15 of his free throws in the first half, tying James Harden’s 2019 record for the most in a half without a miss since the 1997 to 1998 season.
He also had 15 rebounds and five blocks before halftime, becoming the first player to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a half. San Antonio led 68 to 51 at the break.
Wembanyama said he had been sick lately but felt like he got his legs back, which made his 52 points even more impressive.
How historic were Wembanyama’s 52 points?
He finished with eight blocks, the most in a game with at least 50 points since blocks became an official stat in the 1973 to 1974 season.
He became the first player with at least 50 points and 20 rebounds in a win by one point since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964, and only the third ever, joining Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.
He also joined Bob McAdoo as just the second player to post at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in a game since blocks were tracked. It was the second time he has scored 50 or more, after he put up 50 against the Washington Wizards in November 2024.
A Spurs teammate said Wembanyama is basically Wilt, noting that opponents try every adjustment and still cannot keep him out of the paint.
What happened on defense?
In one possession in the second quarter, Wembanyama blocked three shots in 13 seconds, rejecting Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
Dallas made just two of 13 shots in the first half when Wembanyama contested them. Shots he challenged came from an average of about 5 feet from the basket.
The Spurs coach praised his work around the basket, noting nine offensive rebounds and 15 made shots in 20 attempts inside the arc. He said Wembanyama dominated both ends of the floor.
Was Wembanyama hurt?
With about nine minutes left, Wembanyama rolled his right ankle and left the game with the Spurs ahead 94 to 87. After Dallas cut the lead to one on a Flagg dunk, he returned and scored 10 of his 52 points down the stretch.
A teammate called him Superman for popping right back up. Wembanyama said he felt fine and called that stretch of physical play the moment that stood out.
San Antonio outscored Dallas by 23 points with him on the floor and was outscored by 22 when he sat.
What do 52 points mean for the Spurs?
No player has had more points, rebounds or blocks in a game this season. The 52 points put Wembanyama in elite company and strengthened his early MVP case.
The coach said the team has settled into the season and is starting to play the style it expects.
With 52 points against Dallas, Victor Wembanyama showed why many around the league already see him as the game’s next superstar.
