Victor Wembanyama prevails over Cooper Flagg in high-scoring clash

Cooper Flagg rocked the dribble side to side, waiting for Carter Bryant to lean just enough. When he did, Flagg attacked the sliver of space and pulled up from 18 feet.

The jumper pushed Flagg to 33 points. He now has as many 30-point games (five) as Kon Knueppel (five), Ace Bailey(three) and VJ Edgecombe (three) — the next three closest rookies — combined.

Flagg and Victor Wembanyama traded blows in a matchup that felt like a preview of future award races.

Wembanyama finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 139-120 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.

He controlled the game on both ends, posting a plus-10 in 26 minutes. Flagg countered with 33 points, six rebounds and five assists in the loss, continuing his late-season surge.

While Wembanyama has had the upper hand in their early matchups, the foundation for a compelling in-state rivalry is forming between the two young stars.

Dallas closes its season at home Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.