The San Antonio Spurs are 5-2 coming into a showdown against the in-state rival Mavericks. Victor Wembanyama is among the MVP favorites this season, but Dallas has a breakout star in Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 overall draft picks are set to battle as the Mavs look to prove they are a serious threat this season with a victory.
The Spurs reached the NBA Finals last season and have won five straight games. With OKC’s injuries, San Antonio is the title favorite and will be looking to make a statement against its rival.
Fans won’t want to miss this matchup, so here is a look at everything they need to know heading into Wednesday’s game.
How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks
Start time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CT
How to watch on TV: ESPN
How to watch online locally: DAZN (San Antonio)
National: ESPN app
How to listen on radio: SiriusXM
Local Spurs fans can watch 65 games on DAZN this season.
Injury report
San Antonio Spurs
OUT: Tobias Harris (calf)
OUT: Jayden Quaintance (knee)
The Spurs have no new injuries to report. Harris and Quaintance will miss their eighth straight game on Wednesday. San Antonio is one of the deepest teams in the league and has already proved to be a serious title threat without them. It will be business as usual against the Mavs.
Dallas Mavericks
OUT: Max Christie (hip)
OUT: Dereck Lively II (foot)
OUT: Sergio de Larrea (knee)
OUT: Tarik Biberovic (heel)
Questionable: Santi Aldama (knee)
Aldama is questionable to make his season debut for Dallas. He missed the first seven games recovering from knee surgery. The Mavs are without Max Christie, who started the first seven games, and three others as they face the Spurs.
Projected starting lineups
San Antonio Spurs
PG: De’Aaron Fox
SG: Dylan Harper
SF: Stephon Castle
PF: Devin Vassell
C: Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio is going small with four guards starting next to Victor Wembanyama. Dallas will have the size advantage, but they can’t match the Spurs' top-end talent.
Dallas Mavericks
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Zaccharie Risacher
SF: Cooper Flagg
PF: PJ Washington
C: Daniel Gafford
The Mavs have a decision to make with their final starting spot. Risacher or Naji Marshall could start in place of Max Christie. Dallas has to deal with San Antonio’s small opening group, which makes Risacher the more likely candidate.
Spurs vs. Mavericks matchup history
The Spurs have won six straight matchups against Dallas and hold a 121-87 edge in the all-time series. San Antonio has won every meeting by double digits since March 12, 2025.
Wemby is 5-4 against Dallas in his career, but has won five straight. He averages 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 28.6 minutes per game versus the Mavericks.
Cooper Flagg is 0-4 against the Spurs, despite shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range in the small sample size. Fans can bet the Mavericks star will be eager to get his first victory in San Antonio on Wednesday night.
What to watch for as Spurs take on the Mavericks
Size versus speed
The Spurs are starting four guards and the Mavs may just counter with four frontcourt options. Dallas plays big with Cooper Flagg at the three. Starting Risacher or Marshall in place of the injured Christie means three forwards opening the game next to Daniel Gafford and Kyrie.
The Rockets and Thunder used size to hand San Antonio their only two losses of the season. That edge may earn Dallas the upset on Wednesday night if the Spurs don’t come ready.
Victor Wembanyama shot to make MVP statement
The national TV audience comes in with ESPN broadcasting. Wemby’s shooting percentages are down this season, despite his otherworldly production elsewhere. This is a chance for the big man to put up an absurd stat line and cement himself as the MVP favorite.
Flagg is drawing plenty of buzz to start this season, and the Mavericks believe they can make the playoffs with Kyrie back. Wemby leading San Antonio to a dominant victory will have everyone talking about him as the best player on the planet.
Dylan Harper’s ascension
The 20-year-old was arguably the second-best player on the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Harper has already forced the Spurs to start him and give him more on-ball reps. He has the potential to be one of the five best players on the planet, and Wednesday is another showcase.
Harper has improved across the board and has future star written all over him. Expect him to put on a show for the home crowd.
The San Antonio Spurs plan on keeping their domination of the Dallas Mavericks going on Wednesday night, but it won’t be easy. Cooper Flagg looks like an All-NBA player, and Kyrie is back. Fans won’t want to miss this showdown.
