Spurs Crush Mavericks 125-92 in Season Opener as Wembanyama Scores 40

When Victor Wembanyama, center of the San Antonio Spurs stepped onto the hardwood at the American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025, most fans expected a close battle. Instead, the Spurs turned a routine season opener into a 33‑point demolition, cruising to a 125‑92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Wembanyama poured in 40 points on 15‑of‑21 shooting, snagged 15 rebounds and blocked three shots, essentially carrying San Antonio to its first win of the 2025‑2026 NBA campaign.

How the Game Unfolded

The first quarter set the tone. Wembanyama’s opening jumper found the net, and before the 8‑minute mark the Spurs were already up by double digits. Stephon Castle, the 20‑year‑old point guard, added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, showing the kind of composure that belies his age.

Dallas tried to answer with Anthony Davis, the 32‑year‑old veteran power forward/center, who managed 22 points and a double‑digit board haul. Yet the Mavericks’ effort felt more like a warm‑up; they missed 15 of 22 field‑goal attempts and never managed to string together more than three points in a row.

Mid‑game, the spotlight shifted to rookie Cooper Flagg. The 19‑year‑old made his NBA debut, finishing with a tidy 10‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double. His early steal that set up a lob attempt on Davis was a highlight, even if the play fell short.

By the third quarter the Spurs had built a 95‑65 lead. A timeout called by head coach Mitch Johnson after Davis nailed a three‑pointer did little to halt the tide. The Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd tried to keep his young squad focused, but the scoreboard kept ticking away.

Statistical Takeaways

• Wembanyama: 40 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks (15‑of‑21 FG, 6‑of‑9 FT)
• Castle: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists (8‑of‑12 FG)
• Davis: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals (7‑of‑22 FG)
• Flagg: 10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 fouls (4‑of‑8 FG)
• Team shooting: Spurs 55% from the field, Mavericks 36%

The 125‑92 final line not only gave San Antonio a spotless 1‑0 start; it also meant bettors who took the Spurs to cover the 4‑point spread on FOX Sports won their wagers.

Reactions from the Bench

After the game, Johnson praised his big man’s poise. “Victor just looks like he belongs in the NBA for a decade,” Johnson said. “When you see a 7‑foot‑4 talent move that fluidly, you know you’re witnessing something special.”

Kidd, on the other hand, remained optimistic about his rookie’s future. “If you saw Cooper practicing, you’d think he’s ready to go right now,” he remarked, referencing Flagg’s lively debut.

Why This Matters for the Rest of the Season

Wembanyama’s 40‑point outburst is his highest scoring night since his rookie season, and it comes just months after he inked a five‑year, $264 million max extension in July 2025. The contract, which makes him the highest‑paid player in Spurs history, signals the franchise’s commitment to building around his unique skill set.

For Dallas, the loss is a reality check. The Mavericks entered the season with a revamped roster and a $12.5 million rookie scale contract for Flagg, the projected first overall pick in the 2025 draft. The young forward’s double‑double shows promise, but the team will need to tighten up defensively and improve shot selection if they hope to stay competitive in a Western Conference that already boasts the likes of the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Looking Ahead

The Spurs’ next test comes on October 25 against the Phoenix Suns, a game that could further cement Wembanyama’s status as a postseason contender. Meanwhile, the Mavericks travel to Minneapolis to face the Timberwolves, a match that may provide a chance to bounce back and give Flagg more minutes.

Both clubs have 81 games left before the regular season closes on April 13, 2026. With the playoffs slated to begin April 19, every win now carries extra weight for teams jockeying for seeding.

Historical Context

San Antonio’s rivalry with Dallas stretches back decades, though it’s often been lopsided. The last time the Spurs won by a 30‑point margin in Dallas was in the 2015‑16 season, when Tim Duncan led a veteran squad to a rout. This time, however, the narrative is about a young phenom redefining the center position.

Dallas, meanwhile, has struggled to find a consistent identity since the departure of Dirk Nowitzki. The hiring of Jason Kidd as head coach last summer was meant to inject a modern, pace‑and‑space approach, but early results show growing pains.