The San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 135-123 on Thursday night in San Antonio, despite a historic scoring performance from rookie Cooper Flagg.
The result mattered because it showed the Spurs’ growing strength as a team, while Flagg’s record-breaking form continues to raise excitement around the NBA’s newest star.
The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, controlled much of the game with a balanced attack, while the Mavericks struggled to turn a strong comeback into a win.
How Did the Spurs Beat the Mavericks in Mavericks vs Spurs?
San Antonio built an early advantage and kept Dallas at arm’s length for most of the contest. The Spurs repeatedly opened up double-digit leads, forcing the Mavericks to chase the game.
The key difference came late in the fourth quarter, when De’Aaron Fox hit two crucial three-pointers to break Dallas’ momentum and push the Spurs back into a comfortable lead.
Spurs are in another frustrating nail-biter against a short-handed Mavs squad. Once again, they’re struggling to hit enough shots to create real separation late in the 4th. Just can’t seem to find that knockout run. pic.twitter.com/C1Bm2ipkSV
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) February 6, 2026
One of Fox’s biggest shots came after an assist from Wembanyama, giving San Antonio a 131-123 advantage with just over a minute remaining, effectively sealing the result.
The Spurs finished with seven players scoring in double figures, underlining how well-rounded their offence looked.
Why Was Cooper Flagg the Biggest Story of the Night?
Even in defeat, Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg delivered another headline performance, scoring 32 points and continuing an extraordinary run of form.
Flagg has now scored 30 points or more in four consecutive games, setting a new NBA record for a teenager since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77.
That record places him in rare company, with comparisons already being made to basketball icons such as Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson, who also produced standout scoring runs early in their careers.
For UK NBA fans following the league closely, Flagg’s early-season form is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about storylines of the year.
How Did Victor Wembanyama Perform for the Spurs?
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, still only 19, once again proved why he remains one of the NBA’s most exciting talents.
He finished with:
- 29 points
- 11 rebounds
- A strong shooting display from range
Wembanyama set the tone early, hitting his first five three-point attempts and reaching 20 points by halftime.
His ability to stretch the floor created space for teammates and helped the San Antonio Spurs dominate large stretches of the match.
Which Other Spurs Players Made the Difference?
While Wembanyama led the box score, the Spurs won because multiple players delivered key contributions.
- Harrison Barnes scored 19 points
- Stephon Castle added 18 points and seven rebounds
- De’Aaron Fox finished with 17 points, including late clutch shooting
Castle’s impact was especially noticeable in the closing minutes, when his powerful follow dunk highlighted the Spurs’ physical edge and energy.
San Antonio’s depth looked like a major advantage, particularly compared to a Mavericks side still adjusting to major changes.
Who Stepped Up for Dallas Besides Flagg?
Flagg was not alone in carrying Dallas offensively. Naji Marshall matched Flagg’s total with 32 points, giving the Mavericks a second consistent scoring option.
Meanwhile, centre Daniel Gafford produced a solid performance of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Gafford has been linked with trade rumours ahead of the NBA deadline, but he played with intensity and remained a strong presence inside.
However, despite their scoring output, Dallas failed to get over the line when the pressure peaked late in the game.
What Did the Anthony Davis Trade Mean for the Mavericks?
The match was Dallas’ first since trading ten-time All-Star Anthony Davis, who had missed the past month due to a left hand injury.
That deal has already sparked debate among NBA fans, and this game highlighted the challenge Dallas now faces in finding stability and leadership during tight moments.
The Mavericks looked dangerous in bursts, but the Spurs’ control and structure proved too much.
Did Dallas Come Close to Winning?
Yes, and for a period, it looked like the Mavericks might steal the game. Flagg scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half, leading a strong Dallas surge that cut the Spurs’ lead down to just one point.
But despite the rally, the Mavericks never managed to take the lead. Each time Dallas threatened to swing momentum, San Antonio responded with timely shooting and better execution.
When Do the Mavericks and Spurs Play Again?
The rivalry continues quickly, with the Spurs and Mavericks set to face each other again in San Antonio on Saturday.
Given the intensity of this contest and Flagg’s scoring form, the rematch is expected to attract major attention from NBA fans, including a growing UK audience watching through League Pass and late-night broadcasts.
