PHOENIX – For the second straight season on opening night, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II outplayed his more heralded
In the Mavs’ 120-109 win over the Spurs on Thursday, Lively came off the bench to contribute 15 points, a game-high 11 rebounds and a career-high tying six assists. On the flip side, Wembanyama struggled and finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and was a frosty 5-of-18 from the floor.
During the Spurs’ 126-119 season-opening victory over the Spurs last year, Lively finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and was 7-of-8 from the field, while Wembanyama wound up with 15 points and five boards and was 6-of-9 from the floor.