Wemby vs. Flagg. 40 vs. 33. The Future of the NBA Played a Full Preview.

Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished 5 assists. Cooper Flagg answered with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Spurs beat the Mavericks 139-120, but this game wasn't about the final score. It was about the future.

Wemby came out firing — 16 points in the first quarter, 24 by halftime. Flagg matched him blow for blow with 16 in the second quarter and 25 before the break. It was the kind of duel that makes you stop scrolling and just watch.

The second half belonged to San Antonio. De'Aaron Fox took over with 14 points in a 40-point third quarter that blew the game open. Wembanyama joined David Robinson as the only Spurs players with multiple 40+/10+/5+ games in franchise history. And it was his 65th game of the season, officially qualifying him for end-of-season awards including MVP.

As for Flagg — 33 points keeps him on pace to join Michael Jordan as the only rookies in NBA history to lead their team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals for a full season. He's 19. San Antonio won 14 of 15.