Victor Wembanyama dominates Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, who was almost invisible early in his NBA debut

As it turns out, a few years in the NBA makes a big difference.

Victor Wembanyama went off on Wednesday night to officially kick off his third campaign in the league, and he completely spoiled the debut of a fellow No. 1 overall pick in the process. Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a commanding 125-92 win over Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center to start their season.

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Wembanyama finished with 40 points and 15 rebounds in the win. It was the fifth 40-point game of his career. He had 21 points before halftime, all without hitting a 3-pointer, and he threw down an absolutely ridiculous dunk late in the second quarter to remind everyone just how good he is after his second season was cut short due to a blood clot.

That helped power the Spurs to a nine-point lead at halftime.

Flagg, on the other hand, struggled in his first real NBA game. The 18-year-old former Duke star, who the Mavericks took with the top pick in the draft earlier this summer, was held scoreless in the first 24 minutes. He went just 0 of 2 from the field in the first half with six rebounds. He was thrown into the starting lineup as Dallas’ point guard, as they are still waiting for Kyrie Irving to return from an ACL injury he sustained last season.

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Flagg finally scored the first bucket of his NBA career early in the second half. The Mavericks set up an easy shot for him at the top of the key, and he sank it.

Wembanyama blocked him at the rim on the Mavericks’ next drive, and then he hit a ridiculous and-one 3-pointer a few possessions later to keep the Spurs in full control. Wembanyama’s play came after he blocked Dereck Lively, who he sank the 3-pointer over, at the other end with ease.

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While Flagg had eight points by the end of the period, the Spurs still entered the fourth quarter with a 21-point advantage. Wembanyama came back into the game to start the final period, and he threw down a long dunk just strolling through the lane. Nobody, not Flagg or even Mavericks veteran Anthony Davis, could do anything to stop him.

Flagg ended up finishing with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and he shot just 4 of 13 from the field. Davis had 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks, while P.J. Washington added 17.

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Stephon Castle added 22 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs to go along with Wembanyama’s 40-piece. Dylan Harper, taken with the second pick after Flagg, scored 15 points in his NBA debut. Devin Vassell finished with 13 points, too.

Flagg will undoubtedly play a major role for the Mavericks this season. The franchise is clearly hoping he’s their guy for the foreseeable future, too — especially following the backlash the front office received after trading away superstar Luka Doncic last season. But if Wednesday’s game was any indication, the youngest player in the league has some work to do to get there.

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Wembanyama, on the other hand, looked like he was making up for lost time.

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