#nba

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama had career highs of 52 points and 24 rebounds, plus eight blocks, in a 112-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Nov. 4, AP reports, while fighting a virus and after rolling his ankle in the fourth quarter.

His first half (29 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks) made him the first player since play-by-play records began in 1996-97 with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a half. AP says he is the first player with 50 points and 20 rebounds in a one-point win since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964. He shot 16 for 28, including seven dunks, but 1 for 8 from three.

"I can still do more," Wembanyama said. The Spurs have won six straight; he had been named the West's player of the week three days earlier.

Oklahoma City guard Jalen Williams was taken off the court on a stretcher with 1:14 left in the Thunder's 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, Oct. 25, after being hurt while fouled on a drive, AP reports. The game stopped for about five minutes; Williams gave the crowd two thumbs up as he was wheeled off, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fought back tears in a postgame interview.

On Monday, general manager Sam Presti said Williams needs surgery for a broken left fibula and a dislocated left ankle, with no timetable until after surgery; AP notes he could miss the rest of the season. Forward Cason Wallace, hurt in the same game, needs surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Williams, an All-Star and All-NBA player, was a key part of the Thunder's 2025 title team, which entered this season as a co-favorite with the Spurs.

Ty Jerome scored 31 points and made all 14 of his free throws as the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Sacramento Kings 123-112 on Sunday, Oct. 25, to open the season 3-0, AP reports via TSN. He came in off a 45-point game in the season opener and, per AP, leads the NBA in scoring. Last season injuries limited him to 15 games for Memphis.

Rookie Cameron Boozer added 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Cedric Coward had 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Kings' Zach LaVine scored 37.

The NBA season opened Tuesday, Oct. 20, and LeBron James played his first game for the Philadelphia 76ers, a 106-100 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on the night the Knicks, the defending champions, received their rings and raised their banner, CBS Sports reports.

In 34 minutes James, 41, had 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, nine rebounds, seven assists and one turnover. The Knicks shot 37% from the floor. CBS notes that the Sixers have not been past the second round of the playoffs in 25 years, and that the season is James's 24th.