Wembanyama drops 52, makes 50-year NBA history while sick.

Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 52 points against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, becoming the first player in 50 years to reach that mark while also recording at least 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in a single game.

The last player to post those numbers in a game was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1976, according to NBA research.

Wembanyama finished with 52 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks in the Spurs' 129-126 win over the Mavericks.

He shot 18-of-31 from the field, including 8-of-16 from three-point range, and made all 8 of his free-throw attempts.

The performance came despite Wembanyama playing through an illness.

According to multiple reports, the 21-year-old had been battling a virus in the days leading up to the game.

"It was just relentlessness," Wembanyama told reporters after the game when asked about his mindset.

"I knew the team needed me to be aggressive, and I just kept attacking."

Wembanyama scored 32 of his 52 points in the first half, setting a new career high for points in a half.

He scored from all three levels — attacking the rim, pulling up from mid-range, and hitting step-back threes over Dallas defenders.

The Mavericks tried multiple defenders on him, including Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Maxi Kleber.

None had an answer.

Wembanyama also showed his defensive impact, altering shots at the rim and stepping out to contest perimeter attempts.

His five blocks included a chase-down rejection on a fast break and a swat of a Kyrie Irving three-point attempt in the fourth quarter.

Irving led the Mavericks with 38 points and 9 assists.

Luka Doncic added 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists for Dallas.

But the Mavericks could not overcome Wembanyama's historic output.

The Spurs improved to 24-24 with the win, moving back to .500 on the season.

Wembanyama's career night added another chapter to what has already been an extraordinary second season.

He entered the game averaging 24.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game.

His block average leads the NBA.

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman is widely considered the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year.

Tuesday's performance also placed him in exclusive company among active players.

Only a handful of current NBA players have scored 50 points in a game with at least 5 assists and 5 blocks.

Wembanyama joined LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid on that short list.

But none of those players did it at age 21.

Wembanyama is the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-point, 5-assist, 5-block game.

He is also the first Spurs player to score 50 points since LaMarcus Aldridge in 2019.

The last Spurs rookie or second-year player to reach 50 points was Tim Duncan, who scored 51 in 2001.

Wembanyama said after the game that he is still learning how to sustain high-level performances.

"It's just figuring things out," he said, according to RealGM.

"Every game is a new lesson. Tonight I felt good and my teammates found me in the right spots."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich praised Wembanyama's maturity.

"To play through being under the weather and put up a performance like that speaks to his character," Popovich said.

"He's not just talented. He's tough."

The Spurs have now won three of their last four games.

Wembanyama's emergence has accelerated San Antonio's timeline, with the team now competing for a play-in spot in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, fell to 28-18, remaining in fourth place in the West.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Dallas.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd acknowledged Wembanyama's impact.

"He's a unique talent," Kidd said.

"We threw different looks at him, and he still found ways to score. That's what the great ones do."

Wembanyama's 52-point game was the highest-scoring individual performance in the NBA this season.

The previous high was 50 points by Joel Embiid in November.