Wembanyama dominates with 40 points, overshadowing Flagg's debut
Victor Wembanyama delivered a sensational performance in his return from injury, exploding for 40 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a dominant 125-92 season-opening win over the Dallas Mavericks. The 21-year-old's scoring burst, the fifth 40-point game of his career, completely overshadowed the nervous NBA debut of Mavericks rookie and number one pick Cooper Flagg.
The highly anticipated start to the NBA season saw one star deliver on massive expectations while another struggled to find his footing. Victor Wembanyama, playing in his first regular-season game since undergoing shoulder surgery in February, showed zero rust, torching the Mavericks for a commanding 40 points in the Spurs’ convincing 125-92 victory.
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The Wembanyama Show
The French sensation quickly reached mid-season form, racking up 21 points by halftime and displaying the array of skills that define his game. This performance marks the fifth time Wembanyama has hit the 40-point mark in his young career.
His dominance effectively muted the excitement surrounding the debut of Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old, selected as the number one overall pick in the 2025 draft, became the second-youngest starter in NBA history (behind LeBron James) for the Mavericks. However, Flagg struggled early, failing to score until the second half and finishing the night with just 10 points.
Rookies shine in other games
While Flagg endured a tough night, other rookies made huge splashes across the league. Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe had a historically massive debut, scoring 34 points in a thrilling 117-116 win over the Boston Celtics.
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This scoring haul is the third-most ever by an NBA debutant and the most since Wilt Chamberlain scored 43 points in 1959. "That surpassed my expectation, to be honest," Edgecombe admitted after the game.
In Cleveland, OG Anunoby—who moved to the US as a child—put up a strong line of 24 points and 14 rebounds as the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-111, giving new head coach Mike Brown a win in his first outing with the team.
