San Antonio Spurs delivered an assertive road statement on October 25, 2026, beating the Dallas Mavericks 122-106 at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs trailed early but controlled the middle of the game, then pulled away in the fourth quarter behind a balanced scoring effort and a defense that tightened around the paint when it mattered most.

Game overview

Dallas opened with better rhythm and led 28-25 after the first quarter, using Anthony Davis inside and quick ball movement to create open looks. San Antonio responded in the second period, edging the quarter 31-30 to trim the halftime deficit to 58-56. The game turned after the break, when the Spurs raised their defensive pressure and held Dallas to 22 third-quarter points.

• First quarter: Mavericks 28, Spurs 25
• Second quarter: Spurs 31, Mavericks 30
• Third quarter: Spurs 29, Mavericks 22
• Fourth quarter: Spurs 37, Mavericks 26
• Final: Spurs 122, Mavericks 106

Key moments

The decisive stretch came late in the third quarter and carried into the fourth. San Antonio closed the third on a 9-2 run, then opened the final period with a 13-4 burst that pushed the lead into double digits. Dallas called timeout after a Victor Wembanyama block led to a De’Aaron Fox transition layup, but the Mavericks never fully recovered their offensive rhythm.

Another important sequence arrived with just under seven minutes remaining. Dallas had cut the margin to eight, but San Antonio answered with consecutive three-pointers from Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle, restoring control. From there, the Spurs protected the ball and converted at the free-throw line to close out the win.

Tactical story

San Antonio’s defensive flexibility was the story of the night. The Spurs switched aggressively on the perimeter, forced Dallas into contested mid-range attempts, and limited clean catch-and-shoot threes. Wembanyama’s presence at the rim allowed the guards to pressure the ball more freely, and the Mavericks finished with 17 turnovers that turned into valuable transition points.

Offensively, San Antonio played with pace but not recklessness. Fox pushed the tempo when the lane opened, while Wembanyama operated as a pressure release in the half court. The Spurs also attacked the offensive glass in the second half, creating second-chance points that gradually wore down Dallas. The Mavericks got strong individual production from Davis and Cooper Flagg, but their half-court attack became too isolation-heavy in the fourth quarter.

Standout performers

Wembanyama led San Antonio with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks, impacting both ends of the floor. Fox added 24 points and 8 assists, while Vassell scored 19 and Castle contributed 15 off a strong two-way bench performance. Dallas was paced by Davis with 26 points and 11 rebounds, with Flagg adding 18 and Kyrie Irving scoring 17 to go with 7 assists.

What the result means

The victory gives San Antonio an encouraging early-season road result and reinforces its credentials as a team capable of winning in different styles. For Dallas, the loss highlights the need for cleaner late-game execution and better spacing around its stars. In the broader NBA standings, the Spurs will value a conference win over a direct Western Conference rival, while the Mavericks will look to correct their fourth-quarter struggles quickly.