The San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Dallas Mavericks and claimed initial bragging rights in the season’s first Texas tussle. On a stage featuring two of the NBA’s brightest attractions, Victor Wembanyama was shining brightest and spoiled Cooper Flagg’s pro debut.

No De’Aaron Fox, Kelly Olynyk and Jeremy Sochan, no problem. Wembanyama made up for lost time (blood clot) by pouring in jumpers, punishing the rim and wrecking Dallas’ offensive sets. It also helped the Spurs early that the Mavericks started the game without a natural point guard.

Dallas called the first timeout halfway through the opening frame as the Spurs led 16-13, and then the first non-Wemby minutes of the season followed with Luke Kornet checking in. The Spurs lost that sequence 11-7 and despite the close score going in

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