'Alien Invasion': Spurs' Wemby Lands In Dallas, Posts Monster Game Against Mavs

On Wednesday night, "The Alien'' invaded Dallas.

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Mavericks, 112-111, at the AAC, a victory that marks the Spurs' second over the Mavericks this season, and their sixth in a row.

It happened despite a furious Dallas comeback.

And it happened on the strength of an otherworldly performance by Victor Wembanyama.

Wemby - the 7-4 Frenchman nicknamed "The Alien'' - was incredible, as he posted 52 points, 24 rebounds, and eight blocks.

Notable in the math? He doubled what he offered up in San Antonio's previous win this week, when he was good for 23 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.

The 52 points mark a career-high for the 22-year-old superstar.

“He’s so tall. I mean, it’s definitely a challenge. He poses the same challenge for every team,” Irving said. “I feel like we matched up pretty well, but tonight he got it going. It’s going to be nights like this where some of the best players in the world, they’re going to make it difficult on you.

In defense of Dallas (4-4), what Wemby did is what Wemby does; it's why he's an MVP candidate ... and why he figures to be just that for the next decade-plus.

The only answer against the defending Western Conference champs, who seem on a mission to get back to the NBA Finals and to win it?

Their opponents need to be at their best.

That worked for Dallas' Kyrie Irving, who in his first game against the Spurs in two seasons, offered a classis performance. The veteran guard finished with 29 points and five assists ... and had a shot at a possible game-winner that didn't quite fall.

It did not quite work for Cooper Flagg, however.

Flagg, at 19 the defending NBA Rookie of the Year, finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-19 shooting.

Bad numbers? Nah. Up to his high standards? "Nah'' to that as well.

The Mavericks are in many ways "ahead of schedule'' this year. But the eventual goal is to be on the same level as Wembanyama and the Spurs.

“You can see his aggression has been raising over the past few games as well. His teammates are supporting him,” Irving said. “And that’s the Western Conference champs right there until another champion’s crowned. So we've got to give them their respect, but obviously we know what we can do to compete with them and eventually win the game against them.”

OK, but right now? Dallas isn't even on the same planet as "The Alien.''