What happened in Victor Wembanyama's first NBA game: Luka Dončić and Mavericks ruin Wemby's debut

SAN ANTONIO — The nationally televised matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs was both teams' season opener, but more importantly, it was the debut of a rookie center. It offered the first look at an awfully impressive teenager who's already carrying more expectations and responsibility for his franchise's success this year than anyone expected, and his performance in the first game more than surpassed expectations.

No doubt Victor Wembanyama was good too. But that paragraph was about the Mavericks' Dereck Lively II.

There's an obvious reason these two non-playoff teams from last season received national billing on the NBA's opening week. "Yes, everyone’s here to see Victor," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said prior to tip-off. But it was Lively, Dallas' No. 12 overall pick this summer, who beat and arguably outplayed his fellow rookie big man with a 16-point, 10-rebound performance.

Everything about Wembanyama’s debut showed why his future is so exciting. But everything about Lively’s showed the challenges Dallas has right now, this season, as the franchise knows it must recuperate from last year’s catastrophe and build a title-contending roster around Luka Dončić before any doubt comes into his mind.

It’s both compelling and concerning that Dallas, at least for one game, already looks so reliant on a 19-year-old who can be expected to have the natural ups and downs this year that all rookies do.

Read my story here.

How did Victor Wembanyama's first bucket – a top-of-the-key 3 – compare to the first hoop of other No. 1 picks? Not as cool as Patrick Ewing or Blake Griffin, but it's probably cooler than LeBron James at least.

I will forever be amazed by the pictures of Victor Wembanyama closing out on shooters. Still not sure how Kyrie Irving got this shot off.

SAN ANTONIO — Before tipoff of the San Antonio Spurs–Dallas Mavericks season opener on Wednesday night at Frost Bank Center, the hype that came with Victor Wembanyama's entry into the NBA Draft seems to have been undersold.

His "Did Wemby really do that?" moments in the preseason had raised expectations for the regular season that matched those that LeBron James brought to his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers exactly 20 years ago.

But Wednesday was the real deal, not a preseason game. It was must-see TV, one of 13 Spurs games thus far scheduled for national telecasts this season after a formerly perennial Western Conference title contender had dropped off the national radar last season when they lost 60 of 82 games.

The Spurs issued 200 media credentials for Wednesday's game with scribes and broadcasters from eight countries in attendance with nearly all of them here primarily to see Wembanyama.

The pregame atmosphere was, dare we say it, NBA Finals-like. That included a local chanteuse, Eliotte Nicole, fresh off performing with the Taylor Swift The Eras Tour.

It was Gregg Popovich's 28th opening night, but the oft-cynical Spurs head coach couldn't help but be impressed with the special feeling inside the arena.

"Well, how can I deny that?" Popovich said when asked about the extra attention that had come with Wembanyama's debut. "It's pretty obvious, like two plus two equals four. Victor's had a lot of attention pointed toward him for a very long time, and that's not going to change.

"Fortunately for us, he's a really mature, prioritized young man and knows what he wants. He's already a pro, he's a professional. I don't have to teach him what it means to be a pro. His parents and other coaches have already done that."

But, all that extra attention also brought a binary choice for those given to instant overreaction. Would it be "Wemby’s a bust," or "Wemby's already a star?"

Reality: Everyone will have to wait a while before deciding just how good this generational talent is.

Read more here.

The No Dunks crew recaps Victor Wembanyama's debut and the rest of NBA opening night.

I decided to take a closer look at Victor Wembanyama's debut. Click the video link below.

“It might have been frustrating, but always keeping my head up is good for my teammates,” Victor Wembanyama said postgame. “I can’t show it (frustration) on the court. We learn, we learn every day.”

“I want to give the best show to the fans, especially here in San Antonio and in France,” Wembanyama said. “But it’s still my job – I’ve got responsibilities toward my coach and my teammates. So really (pressure) is not what matters.”

There were more than 200 media credential requests made for reporters from eight countries, a Spurs official said.

“Victor had a lot of attention pointed toward him for a very long time,” Popovich said prior to San Antonio's loss. “And, you know, that’s not going to change. Fortunately for us, he’s a really mature, prioritized young man and knows what he wants. He’s already a pro. He’s a professional. I don’t have to teach him what it means to be a pro. His parents and other coaches have already done that.”

This shot of Victor Wembanyama's one notable highlight in an otherwise-quiet NBA debut makes him look like he's a giant. Because he is.

SAN ANTONIO – The Victor Wembanyama experience had largely lulled people to sleep.

Up until the 7:12 mark of the fourth quarter of the No. 1 pick’s NBA debut, Wembanyama had largely shown a penchant for fouling and being ignored by San Antonio Spurs teammates in the post, with a couple of bright moments mixed in.

But when Wembanyama was peeled off the Spurs’ bench one final time in the fourth quarter, with his team trailing by five, he transformed into the planet of basketball fans hope he becomes all of the time.

Wembanyama, the 19-year-old, 7-foot-4 Frenchman who entered the league with enormous hype, scored nine of his 15 points in those final seven minutes and gave the Spurs a chance.

But the Dallas Mavericks won the game, 126-119, behind a 33-point triple double from Luka Dončić. Wembanyama shot 6-of-9 from the field with five rebounds, two steals, a block, five turnovers, and five fouls that nearly let all the air out of his debut.

Luka Dončić accidentally used a naughty word in his ESPN postgame interview while discussing the play of Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench while outplaying fellow first-year man Victor Wembanyama.

Mr. Wembanyama, did you just walk off the court without shaking hands? I don't know how you did it on Mets 92, sir, but around here, we want to see superstars embrace after the game. You are supposed to stay and hug Luka Dončić.

It's all good. You're new. Don't let it happen again.

And that's a final. Luka Dončić and the Mavericks spoil Victor Wembanyama's debut at the end, winning, 126-119. Dončić ends with a triple double (33 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists). Wembanyama came alive late to finish with 15 points, but only played 23 minutes due to foul trouble.

There will be better games for the Spurs' rookie.

I'm praying we make the phrase "Last Step" happen. Because Luka Dončić just uncorked one of the most vicious last steps I've ever seen to stop on a dime on one leg and create a 3-point play to give the Mavericks a one-point lead.

We know what it's like for shot blockers to alter shots in the paint even when they don't get the block. I wonder how 3-point shooters are altered with Victor Wembanyama coming at them. Especially now with them not really knowing what that length feels like.

Are they rushing it knowing he's coming? Shooting with more arc? They saw the photo of the his block on Andrew Wiggins' 3. It's gotta feel like having Groot contest your 3-pointer.