Dallas Mavericks have quietly found Spurs star Victor Wembanyama's kryptonite

On Tuesday night, the Dallas Mavericks grabbed their second-straight victory as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs on the road.

Dallas was coming off a victory at home against the Denver Nuggets after a buzzer-beater from Kyrie Irving, and they needed to carry this momentum into their game against the Spurs.

Despite Luka Doncic having one of the worst shooting nights of his career, he still dropped a triple-double and found a way to help lead the Mavs to victory.

Dallas Mavericks have quietly found Spurs star Victor Wembanyama's kryptonite

The play of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II was excellent in this game, as they combined for 25 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks. Dallas' bigs continue to play at a high level, and Lively II in particular did a great job at slowing down fellow rookie for the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama finished with 12 points on 3-13 shooting from the field with five turnovers. He did also finish with 11 rebounds and six blocks, but Lively II, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Maxi Kleber collectively did a good job of slowing him down.

Dallas was playing physically with Wembanyama all night and making things hard for him down low. Wembanyama looked uncomfortable when the ball was in his hands, and Washington's defense on him over their last two matchups can't be overlooked.

When Washington has been the primary defender on Wembanyama in the last two games between Dallas and San Antonio, Wembanyama has shot a pitiful 14.3 percent from the field on 1-7 shooting. Washington has made life hard on Wembanyama despite being much shorter than him.

Washington was making sure to contest every shot that Wembanyama took, and played with physicality when he tried to post him up or drive past him. If Washington did get beat off the dribble, Gafford or Lively II was at the rim to contest him.

When Lively II was on Wembanyama, he did a good job of moving his feet and playing good defense without fouling. Lively II wasn't the primary defender on Wembanyama for long, but he did a solid job when he was.

Collectively, the Mavs have found a way to slow down one of the best rookies of all time, and Washington should be heralded for his efforts on defense as of late. Making Wembanyama uncomfortable was key, and the Mavs may have found a blueprint to slowing him down.

For all the latest on Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.