SAN ANTONIO — Some details of Saturday night are still unclear.

Harrison Barnes subbed in for Victor Wembanyama with 11:07 remaining in the second quarter of the San Antonio Spurs' road win over the Dallas Mavericks. Wembanyama had played just 53 seconds of the period, missing his only field goal attempt.

While Wembanyama was out, the Mavericks embarked on a 12-4 run that prompted Johnson to reinsert his star with 7:12 remaining. Within the next three minutes, Wembanyama logged seven points, one block, one rebound and one assist. He looked motivated.

Wembanyama and Mitch Johnson had different stories of the interaction when asked about the peculiar change to the rotation. The Frenchman blamed a sideline miscommunication.

"I pointed at Mitch intensely," Wembanyama began, "because I was wondering what kind of defense we were in. And I think he understood that (as) I wanted a sub."

Johnson, who spoke first, didn't have a chance to address Wembanyama's explanation.…