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Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Luka Doncic logged a 33-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a win over the San Antonio Spurs and spoiling Victor Wembanyama's regular-season NBA debut. Doncic made 13 of 25 shots in the 126-119 triumph Wednesday in San Antonio. Fellow Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving supplied 22 points and six assists.
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"It was the first game and everyone was excited that the NBA is back," Doncic told reporters. "It was pretty loud here so it was a tough game to win."
Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, registered 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block for the Spurs.
"There was lots of emotions, of course," Wembanyama said. "It would have been perfect with a win. ... It felt surreal for a moment. I just feel lucky to be here."
The Spurs outshot the Mavericks 51.7% to 47.5%, but registered 19 turnovers. The Mavericks outscored the Spurs 56-46 in the paint.
Guard Devin Vassell scored 10 points over the first 12 minutes to help the Spurs earn an early 43-36 lead. Mavericks guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 12 points in the first quarter.
The Mavericks outscored the Spurs 28-25 in the second quarter, but still trailed 68-64 at the break. Center Dereck Lively II then came off the bench to score 10 points, helping the Mavericks outscore the Spurs 32-23 in the third.
Doncic and Irving scored 10 points apiece in the fourth to help the Mavericks close out the victory.
Hardaway and Mavericks forward Grant Williams scored 17 points apiece in the win. Lively totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds. Vassell led the Spurs with 23 points. Forward Keldon Johnson chipped in 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the loss.
The Spurs (0-1) will host the Houston Rockets (0-1) at 8 p.m. EDT Friday in San Antonio. The Mavericks (1-0) will host the Brooklyn Nets (0-1) at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Dallas.
