San Antonio, Texas – A divisional matchup in the NBA saw the San Antonio Spurs take an early lead against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, . The game, played in San Antonio, was underway in the first quarter at the time of reporting, with the Spurs leading 37-30 with 33.7 seconds remaining in the period.
The contest represents a key fixture for both teams within the Southwest Division. The Spurs are currently enjoying a strong season, holding a record of 35 wins and 16 losses, placing them competitively within the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks, however, are facing a more challenging campaign, with a record of 19 wins and 32 losses.
Several key players are contributing to the early game dynamic. For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama has already registered 7 points, while De’Aaron Fox has added 4. On the Mavericks side, Norman Marshall leads with 21 points, supported by 8 points from Max Bagley III. The Spurs are demonstrating a strong shooting performance, achieving 56% field goal accuracy (14 of 25 attempts) and 50% from the three-point line (4 of 8). The Mavericks are currently at 52% from the field (15 of 29).
The game is taking place against a backdrop of significant injury concerns for both franchises. The Mavericks are without key players Khris Middleton (out indefinitely due to a non-injury related issue, expected return February 10th), Kyrie Irving (out with a knee injury, expected return February 20th), and Dereck Lively II (out with a foot injury, expected return October 1st). The Spurs are missing Lindy Waters III (out with a knee injury, expected return February 10th) and David Jones Garcia, whose injury status and return date are currently unavailable.
According to ESPN analytics, the Spurs currently have an 84.2% win probability, compared to the Mavericks’ 15.8%. This reflects the Spurs’ strong start and home-court advantage. The Spurs have led for 87% of the game thus far, with a largest lead of 11 points.
The Mavericks are struggling with turnovers, having committed 2 in the early stages of the game, while the Spurs have secured 59 rebounds. The Spurs’ offensive rebounding is particularly strong, with 3 defensive rebounds and 2 offensive rebounds for Charlotte Martin. San Antonio is currently outperforming Dallas in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage (88% compared to Dallas’s 0%).
The game is being closely watched by NBA fans and analysts, with the Spurs looking to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Mavericks, meanwhile, are seeking to turn their season around and climb the standings. The matchup between Wembanyama and the Mavericks’ frontcourt presents a particularly compelling storyline, given Wembanyama’s emergence as a dominant force in the league.
The Spurs have already secured two victories against the Mavericks this season, both played in Dallas. The first game concluded with a score of 125-123 in favor of San Antonio, while the second ended 135-132. This game marks the third encounter between the two teams, with the final two games scheduled to be played in San Antonio.
The game is being officiated by Ed Malloy, Natalie Sago, and John Conley. Live coverage is available on ESPN, with updates on scores, highlights, and statistics. The game is also being broadcast on Prime Video and KFAA-TV in San Antonio.
The wider NBA landscape sees the Spurs currently positioned within the competitive Southwest Division. As of today, , the division standings are as follows: San Antonio (35-16), Houston (32-19), Memphis (20-30), Dallas (19-32), and New Orleans (14-40). The Spurs’ strong record places them in a favorable position to contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The game in San Antonio is a significant event for both teams and their respective fan bases. The Spurs are looking to continue their winning streak and maintain their position in the Western Conference standings, while the Mavericks are hoping to overcome their injury challenges and improve their performance. The outcome of this game could have important implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
