Irving and Gafford lead Mavericks past Wemby-less Spurs 110-93

Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford scored 22 points apiece as Dallas Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-93 win on Saturday night over San Antonio Spurs, who played without star center Victor Wembanyama.

7-foot-3 Wembanyama, last season’s unanimous selection as NBA Rookie of Year, was sidelined with a bruised right knee and is day to day. He got hurt during a home loss to Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Zach Collins, Wembanyama’s replacement in starting lineup, led Spurs with a season-high 20 points. Julian Champagnie scored 13, all in first half.

Gafford set a season high for points as Dallas got a season-best 54 from its bench.

Irving missed previous game with a right shoulder sprain.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic, sixth in NBA coming in at 29.3 points per game, h 16 — one above his season low. He ded six rebounds and six assists in a season-low 28 minutes.

Spurs: Wembanyama shot 24 of 50 behind arc in previous four games. Collins was 0 for 5.

Mavericks: Dallas exploited Wembanyama’s absence inside and outscored Spurs 46-22 in paint through three periods.

With score tied at 47 and under three minutes left in first half, Gafford blocked Tre Jones at rim. Collins grabbed rebound but h it stripped by P.J. Washington Jr., who fed Naji Marshall for a layup that gave Mavericks le for good.

Mavericks outscored Spurs 38-18 in third quarter, outshooting m 59.1% to 22.7%.

Spurs begin a three-game homestand Tuesday against Oklahoma City in an NBA Cup game. Mavericks complete a back-to-back at Oklahoma City on Sunday night.