By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:42 GMT, 13 March 2025 | Updated: 02:42 GMT, 13 March 2025
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - De'Aaron Fox had 32 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs snapped a three-game skid, beating the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 126-116 on Wednesday night.
Dallas (33-34) remained 10th in the Western Conference, holding the final spot for the play-in tournament by 2 1/2 games over Phoenix.
Fox was 12 for 25 from the field in his highest-scoring game since joining San Antonio in a trade with Sacramento on Feb. 5.
Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan each had 18 points off the bench for San Antonio. Devin Vassell added 16.
Brandon Williams returned from a one-game absence to lead Dallas with 19 points. Dante Exum added 17 and Naji Marshall and Kessler Edwards had 15 each.
The Mavericks beat the Spurs 133-129 on Monday to snap a five-game skid.
Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) is blocked by San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Dallas only had nine active players Wednesday as the team remains without Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis among others.
The Mavericks closed the first quarter on a 19-4 run in taking a 28-20 lead. Dallas extended the lead to 11 points in the second quarter while shooting 60% from the field.
San Antonio had eight turnovers in the opening quarter but only 16 for the game.
Mavericks: Williams returned after missing Monday's game with a hamstring injury. Williams was 6 for 12 from the field and played 28 minutes.
Spurs: Point guard Chris Paul played in 1,336th career game to pass Hall of Famer Gary Payton for 17th in league history.
San Antonio took an 82-73 lead midway through the third on an 8-0 run capped by a dunk and 3-pointer from Fox. He had 11 points in the third.
San Antonio is 4-8 since losing All-Star center Victor Wembanyama for the season on Feb. 20 due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Both teams play Friday night. The Mavericks are at Houston. The Spurs host Charlotte.
\_\_\_
AP NBA: [https://apnews.com/NBA](https://apnews.com/NBA)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) scores past Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) dives for a loose ball in front of Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs acting head coach Mitch Johnson, left, and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, watch a replay during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) scores over Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd argues a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) scores against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards, center, is blocked as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (16) leaps towards the basket as he looks to pass against San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)