San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De’aaron Fox (4) slap hands during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots a 3-pointer over Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during the first quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) asks teammate Victor Wembanyama (1), “You had 40?” as Wembanyama prepares for a courtside interview after the Spurs’ 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center on Friday, April 10, 2026, in San Antonio.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
Victor Wembanyama was a double winner Friday night.
The 22-year-old Frenchman produced a 40-point, 13-rebound masterpiece in just 26 minutes to satisfy the NBA’s 65-game rule for awards eligibility, and the Spurs routed Dallas 139-120 in the second-to-last game of the regular season.
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“It feels very good,” Wembanyama said of finally reaching that long-sought-after threshold.
“Feels like it’s a box that’s checked. Lots of things happened, and that’s a good conclusion to it.”
Wembanyama, a candidate for MVP and the overwhelming favorite to win defensive player of the year, entered the game needing 20 minutes to qualify for those coveted honors. He didn’t get medical clearance to play until just before game time after he began the day questionable with the bruised left rib that forced him to miss Wednesday’s win over Portland.
Wembanyama was in obvious pain at times, but he fought through it for his fifth 40-point game of the season and third in his last five appearances. He also had 40 in the season opener against the Mavericks.
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READ MORE: How Keldon Johnson inspires a following, both on his ranch and for the Spurs
“I tried to protect it as much as possible while being respectful of the game,” Wembanyama said of his rib. “But it was OK. It didn’t bother me that much, just a few times where it was a specific movement, a specific hit where it was painful.”
Wembanyama sustained the injury in a collision with Paul George during Monday’s win over Philadelphia.
“It was a good hit and he was sore,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s a pain tolerance thing. I’m sure he’ll be sore tomorrow, but he made it out good.”
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It’s the second time this season Wembanyama has amassed 40 points in only 26 minutes. He first did it in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 10.
Wembanyama hit the 20-minute mark with 7:02 left third quarter. He subbed out grabbing at his side but returned with 2:34 left in the period.
“In the moment, it’s just my gut instinct with all of our guys,” Johnson said of allowing Wembanyama to play more.
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De’Aaron Fox recorded his eighth double-double of the season for the Spurs (62-19) with 18 points and 10 assists. In all, seven players scored in double figures for San Antonio, including Dylan Harper, who had 13 points, six assists and four rebounds in his second consecutive start in place of Stephon Castle, who has been out due to a few nagging injuries.
Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks (25-56) with 33 points.
The Spurs went 4-0 against Dallas this season, sweeping a season series with the Mavericks for the first time since 2018-19.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks on the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8), center Luke Kornet (7) and forward Lindy Waters III (43) react to a dunk made by their teammate forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026.
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San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) guards Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026.
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San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) lays the ball in over the Dallas Mavericks during a home game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots a 3-pointer over Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during the first quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks on the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120 with 40 points from Wembanyama.
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San Antonio Spurs fans cheer after watching Spurs’ forward Victor Wembanyama dunk on the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the fourth quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) dunks on the Dallas Mavericks during an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) wins the tip-off over Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives past Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during the first quarter of an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Carter Bryant (11) during an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson watches his team take on the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De’aaron Fox (4) slap hands during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket during an NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard John Poulakidas (1) during the second quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) reacts during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) makes a pass away from Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard AJ Johnson (8) during the third quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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The Jackals cheer for San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) as he makes a free-throw against the Dallas Mavericks during an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De’aaron Fox (4) talk as they head into a fourth quarter timeout against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) falls to the ground after being fouled by the Dallas Mavericks under the net during the fourth quarter at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) talk after playing each other at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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After warming up, San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama high-fives fans as he walks to the locker room before a home game against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026.
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Here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ third consecutive win:
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1. Wembanyama filled with gratitude
Wembanyama was in a reflective mood after qualifying for defensive player of the year, an award he would have won last season had it not been for the blood clot in his right shoulder that limited him to 46 games.
“It means a lot, more than people know, coming back from a terrible place, a little bit more than a year ago,” he said. “And if I’m here today, it’s because of all the people that have allowed me to work through this and get better and all the work we’ve put in all year long.
“…Tremendous amount of work. Lots and lots of talks with the medical staff. Lots of figuring out the (best plan). More, I would say, than any year in my career, mental work to be able to play through pain or discomfort. But we made it.”
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Seeing his relief at having hit the 65-game threshold pleased his teammates.
“What he puts into the game, the game just rewards him,” Harper said. “The basketball gods just reward him every day.”
Wembanyama had a spirited discussion with reporters after the game about the 65-game rule and how stars like Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards aren’t eligible for awards because of injuries.
“Let me ask you a question,” Wembanyama said. “What percentage of the season do you think should be the (threshold)?”
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In the process, he showed off his math skills after a reporter said the rule should be eliminated because it’s difficult to measure a player’s impact by the number of games he logs.
“That’s a good way to put it,” Wembanyama said. “Because a guy that plays 50 games, 35 minutes a game, that’s 50 times 35. That’s 1,750 (minutes), right? And if a guy plays 75 games at 20 minutes, it’s 1,500.”
2. Castle gets much-needed rest
The Spurs listed Castle out with a sore left foot two days after he sat out the Portland game with a sore right knee. In late March, he missed consecutive games due to a hip injury.
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Suffice it to say, the two-way terror is a bit banged up.
“Eighty games (into the season) and the way he plays, it’s real,” Johnson said. “We’re not just sitting him to sit him.” .
3. Sunday plans unclear
Johnson was non-committal when asked whether Wembanyama and the other regulars would play Sunday against Denver.
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“I wouldn’t rule out Steph and I wouldn’t rule in everybody that played tonight. But we’ll have those conversations in the next 48,” Johnson said.
Wembanyama also didn’t rule out playing against the Nuggets, who sat all their starters in Friday’s win over Oklahoma City.
“I don’t think it’s safe to assume (he wouldn’t play), no, because we don’t know what’s going to happen around the league, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s not the case,” he said.
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San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle and forward Victor Wembanyama react as they watch their teammate Carter Bryant make a play against the Dallas Mavericks during an NBA game at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Friday, April 10, 2026. The Spurs won 139-120.
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