Spurs destroy Dallas behind Wembanyama’s 40-point domination

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

40 points in 29 minutes.

That’s how Victor Wembanyama started the 2025–2026 NBA regular season.

On Oct. 23, 2025, the Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs spoiled the Dallas Mavericks’ first home game of the season, crushing them by 33 points, 125–92, at the American Airlines Center in Texas.

Wembanyama stole the show during the Western Conference’s old-fashioned rivalry matchup as the French superstar erupted for 40 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, an assist and a steal.

The 7-foot-4 behemoth was everywhere on the floor from the get-go, torching Dallas with his much-improved offensive bag, highlighted by a crazy step-back 3-pointer and a barrage of creative dunks that silenced the thousands of Dallas fans who flocked to their home court and witnessed the Mavericks’ opening game of the season.

Dallas took a brief 5-point lead midway through the first quarter, but Wembanyama’s personal scoring display steered the Spurs to a momentum-stealing 32–22 run to retake the advantage at the half, 60–51.

It was remarkable how Wembanyama embarrassed the entire Dallas defensive unit, including Anthony Davis, the team’s veteran frontcourt anchor, who was backed up by another emerging lynchpin in Dereck Lively.

No matter what defensive mix-up Dallas head coach Jason Kidd deployed in an attempt to slow down Wembanyama, the 21-year-old franchise player shone in the bright lights, finishing the game with an efficient 15-of-21 shooting from the field, built from 9-of-11 from the free-throw line and 1-of-2 from downtown.

As soon as Wembanyama picked up where he left off in the third quarter, Dallas just had no answers and trailed by 33 points, their largest deficit during the game.

With things getting out of hand and Dallas failing to pull within single digits, Kidd decided to throw the early white towel in the fourth and let his reserves finish the game.

Also stepping up in San Antonio’s blitzing start was reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, who tallied an all-around stat line of 22 markers, seven boards, six dimes and two steals.

Meanwhile, Dylan Harper, the Spurs’ lottery pick during the NBA Rookie Draft, finished with a convincing performance of 15 points, four rebounds and two assists.

On the other hand, Dallas received 22 points and 13 boards from Davis, but needed more offensive lift from No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson, who combined for a dismal 8-of-26 shooting from the field.

The Spurs will look to make it two wins in a row on Oct. 25 as they face Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, while Dallas seeks to notch its first win of the season on the same date against the Washington Wizards.