DALLAS — DALLAS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama dunked on Cooper Flagg’s debut.

And shot over it. And dribbled round it. And reminded everybody what was lacking the final two months of the French star’s second season.

Wembanyama wowed the Dallas crowd, and had a loud San Antonio contingent chanting “M-V-P! M-V-P!” in a season opener, getting 40 factors and 15 rebounds within the Spurs’ 125-92 rout of the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday evening.

Flagg, the No. 1 general decide, was the discuss of the Dallas opener entering into. Popping out, the discuss was Wembanyama, who supplied fairly the reminder that he was the highest general selection simply two years in the past.

The 7-foot-4 sensation was enjoying within the common season for the primary time since deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot situation in his shoulder, required surgical procedure and restricted him to 46 video games.

“I feel all of us knew he was going to be assertive,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson mentioned. “He is been out eight months. He’s been ready for this most likely longer and extra thorough than anyone else. You noticed him take the second and play spectacular.”

Flagg scored for the Spurs earlier than he scored for himself, getting referred to as for goaltending within the second quarter. His first bucket lastly got here on the primary possession of the second half because the 18-year-old former Duke star completed with 10 factors and 10 rebounds.

Flagg is the second-youngest participant to begin in his debut, two days older than LeBron James was 22 years in the past.

“He’s nonetheless a rookie,” mentioned 13-year veteran Anthony Davis, who opened his first full season with the Mavericks after coming from the Los Angeles Lakers within the Luka Doncic commerce in February. “I’m undecided he’s a social media man or not. However all the pieces was No. 1 decide Cooper Flagg and Wemby matchup. So that you’re listening to it. I’m undecided if it received to him, but it surely’s first-game jitters when it’s time for the true factor.”

Flagg did not even try a shot within the final 22 minutes of the primary half after placing up a pair within the opening two minutes, together with a near-dunk on a quick break alley-oop from Davis. The ball began to go down however got here again out.

He hit a jumper from the free throw line for his first factors, and hit a troublesome fadeaway for his second bucket. Flagg was 4 of 13 from the sector and had three turnovers.

“I used to be excited, however I’m excited to go on,” Flagg mentioned. “Clearly, it hurts, the primary loss being like that. Attempt to sit up for the following one, flip the web page and prepare. We all know we’ve received so much higher than that. Staying constructive and staying prepared.”

Wembanyama was downright dominant.

The 2024 Rookie of the 12 months keyed a 13-0 run late within the first half when he pump-faked out of a double staff and was fouled by Davis on his technique to a reverse dunk. At that time, he already had a flying one-handed jam and a reverse slam on an alley-oop.

Wembanyama had seven of San Antonio’s 12 dunks because the Spurs outscored the Mavericks 68-26 within the paint and outshot Dallas 58%-37%. Wembanyama was 15 of 21 from the sector and had three blocks.

“We would have liked to make a press release within the locker room. I really feel like I wanted to make a press release to my teammates,” Wembanyama mentioned. “It’s additionally just the start as a result of there’s a lot extra I need to add to my sport. Some issues take time and maturity.”

Wembanyama repeatedly went proper at Davis, a five-time All-Defensive Staff member. After the dunk late within the second quarter, he hit a jumper whereas drawing Davis’ fourth foul. Within the second half, he dribbled at and round him for a left-handed slam.

Davis was delivered to Dallas for protection in a deal that value the Mavericks a generational offensive star in his prime in Doncic.

Wembanyama’s act was an eye-opener for Flagg, however not one thing he wasn’t anticipating.

“He’s unimaginable,” Flagg mentioned. “He’s a unique participant. You’ll be able to’t know what it’s like till you’re on the court docket with him. It’s one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than. He was nice tonight, however we’ve to do a greater job of attempting to remove a few of his seems. You’ll be able to’t foul him as a lot as we did.”

The 6-9 Flagg was technically the start line guard because the Mavericks await the return of Kyrie Irving, which is probably going months away as he recovers from a torn ACL. Reigning Rookie of the 12 months Stephon Fortress’s protection had a lot to do with a troublesome debut.

“I believed he performed nicely,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd mentioned. “The stat line shouldn’t be going to remain that, however nobody on this room is sitting in his sneakers. I feel as a rookie, he did positive. And he’s going to be taught from this sport. All of us will.”

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