Victor Wembanyama set a new personal scoring best with 52 points on Wednesday night, carrying the San Antonio Spurs to a 112-111 home win over the Dallas Mavericks. The result gave San Antonio its sixth consecutive victory and moved the team to 6-2 on the season, while Dallas fell to 4-4.

A night of rare numbers

The 22-year-old French center paired his 52 points with 24 rebounds and eight blocks. According to the BBC, no player had combined 50 or more points, 20 or more boards and five or more blocks in a game for 52 years. He shot 16-of-28 from the field and 19-of-23 at the line, and added seven dunks and two steals.

His first half was just as unusual: 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks before the break, a line the NBA's play-by-play era had never seen in a half since tracking began in the 1996-97 season. He made all 15 of his first-half free throws, which ESPN reported tied a play-by-play-era record for a half.

How did the game turn?

San Antonio led 68-51 at halftime and stretched the gap to 19 early in the third quarter before Dallas fought back. A three-pointer by P.J. Washington put the Mavericks ahead 103-100 with about five and a half minutes left, their first lead since the opening quarter. Wembanyama answered with a three to tie it, and the lead changed hands until Naji Marshall's three made it 111-111 with 1:41 remaining.

Wembanyama hit one of two free throws with 24.2 seconds left for the final point. Dallas called timeout to set up Kyrie Irving, but his contested jumper missed with seconds on the clock. Irving finished with 29 points on 9-of-27 shooting; Marshall had 22, Washington 21 and Cooper Flagg 19. Dylan Harper added 21 for the Spurs and Stephon Castle had 17.

Why it matters beyond San Antonio

Wembanyama, last season's defensive player of the year, told reporters he had been ill recently. "I haven't been feeling great lately," he said, adding that he felt his legs return. Elsewhere Wednesday, Philadelphia improved to 8-1 with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and Luka Doncic passed 300 points in eight games, the first to do so since Michael Jordan in 1988-89.

FAQ

What were Wembanyama's final stats?

He finished with 52 points, 24 rebounds, eight blocks and two steals in the Spurs' 112-111 win.

How long is the Spurs' winning streak?

San Antonio has won six straight games and sits at 6-2 for the season.