Wembanyama finished the contest with 52 points, 24 rebounds, and eight blocks. His efforts were supported by Dylan Harper, who contributed 21 points, and Stephon Castle, who added 17 points and 10 rebounds to the Spurs' winning effort.

The Spurs established an early advantage, leading by 17 points at halftime. Wembanyama was instrumental in this opening period, recording 29 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks before the interval as San Antonio controlled the pace of the game.

Dallas mounted a significant second-half comeback, led by Kyrie Irving, who scored 29 points. Cooper Flagg added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, while P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall provided secondary scoring to help Dallas take a late lead.

Despite the Mavericks' resurgence, Wembanyama regained control in the final minutes. He hit a game-tying three-pointer and converted a decisive free throw in the closing stages to secure the one-point victory for the home side.

Irving had an opportunity to win the game for Dallas in the final seconds, but his jump shot failed to find the target. The result leaves the Spurs with a 6-2 record, while the Mavericks fall to 4-4.

Brief scores: San Antonio Spurs 112 (Wembanyama 52, Harper 21, Castle 17) beat Dallas Mavericks 111 (Irving 29, Marshall 22, Washington 21, Flagg 19) by 1 point.

The 34-year-old star wasted no time re-establishing his presence on the floor. On the opening possession of the match, Irving drove past Houston's Jabari Smith Jr. for a reverse layup, a play specifically designed for him by head coach Dusty May.

Irving finished the contest with 17 points, shooting six-of-13 from the field across 22 minutes of action. In addition to his scoring, he contributed three assists, helping the Mavericks secure a comfortable win in their international preseason campaign.

Reflecting on his return, Irving admitted to experiencing a range of emotions before tip-off. He expressed gratitude for the coaching staff's confidence in him early on and noted that he was relieved to get the first game jitters behind him.

"A lot of emotions leading into it," Irving said. "Grateful that Dusty called the first play for me. Had my mind made up just to attack. I saw that baseline open up a little bit, and it just felt good to get that out of the way."

Coach May praised the veteran's performance, noting that his ability to contribute immediately after such a long layoff was unexpected. May attributed the success to Irving's dedication during his extensive and challenging rehabilitation period over the past nineteen months.

"I didn't expect him to play this well after being off for so long, just because of the rhythm of the game," May stated. "It's just a testament to his work." The coach highlighted the guard's focus throughout his recovery.

Irving had been sidelined since March 3, 2025, when he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. His recovery process was further complicated by a Grade 2 calf strain sustained in December, which ultimately forced him to miss the previous season.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the quality of Irving's display despite the long absence. Udoka suggested that as the guard regains his match fitness and rhythm, he will likely become an even more significant threat on the court this season.

"He's back to being who he is," Udoka remarked. "He'll only get better as he gets his rhythm back in real NBA games." The Rockets coach observed the veteran's movement and confidence throughout the contest in Macao.

The game also provided the first opportunity for fans to see Irving playing alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The duo showed immediate chemistry, highlighted by a full-court pass from Flagg that set up an Irving layup.

That transition play occurred early in the second quarter, showcasing the potential of the Mavericks' new-look roster. The connection between the veteran guard and the rising star was a focal point of the team's offensive execution during the game.

Later in the third quarter, Flagg delivered a defensive highlight with a spectacular chase-down block on Amen Thompson. The play sparked a fast break that concluded with Irving sinking a pull-up three-pointer, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Mavericks guard Max Christie was among those impressed by the interaction between the two stars. He described the performance as phenomenal and noted that the entire team enjoyed watching the veteran back in action after his long absence.

"That was really cool to see, to be able to witness that," Christie said of Irving's performance. "He looked phenomenal. It was very, very fun to watch." The team appeared to feed off the energy provided by Irving's return.

Irving had sat out the Mavericks' preseason opener on Friday. The team had implemented a structured plan to ease him back into competitive play, ensuring he was physically prepared for the demands of the game and avoiding any setbacks.

The eight-time All-Star expressed satisfaction with his ability to compete at a high level once again. He noted that his primary focus during the game was to remain aggressive and regain his natural playing style after the layoff.

"Being able to perform at a high level, that felt amazing," Irving said. "I humbled myself while also just being aggressive and trying to look like myself again." He emphasized the importance of the mental aspect of his return.

The Mavericks' victory in Macao serves as a positive indicator for the team as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season. Irving's return provides a significant boost to the roster's depth and offensive capabilities as they aim for success.

As the preseason continues, the focus for Irving will remain on building consistency and endurance. The coaching staff is expected to monitor his minutes closely as he integrates fully back into the rotation before the regular season begins.

The Mavericks will look to build on this performance in their upcoming fixtures. With Irving back on the floor, the team aims to refine its chemistry and tactical execution ahead of the regular season opener later this month.

The successful outing in China marks a major milestone for Irving following his prolonged recovery. His performance suggests that he remains a vital component of the Mavericks' plans for the year ahead as they target a deep playoff run.