NBA Paris Games 2025: Indiana spoils the party for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio basketball players

Victor Wembanyama's Spurs were severely beaten (98-136) by Indiana at the end of an exceptional week both in terms of sport and media for basketball and the NBA.

Paris is over, and this second match risks leaving a bitter aftertaste in the mouths of the Spurs who suffered the law of the Pacers. Of course, in the end, the result will be positive for Mitch Johnson's team, especially on the media level. But there is no doubt that Victor Wembanyama was hoping for something other than an exit 3 minutes from the end of a match that he and his Spurs were already assured of not winning. And above all, to do better than these three small points scored in a second act that the Indiana players perfectly locked down.

This second Parisian match, the Spurs were playing it at home, officially. With all the atmosphere and decorum that went with it, under the eyes, among others, of another nugget of French sport, Antoine Dupont, surrounded by Tony Parker, the judoka Romane Dicko, the musician Pharell Williams, the actor Jean-Pascal Zadi or the decathlete Kevin Mayer.

The public also had more response. But it was far from enough. Because the Pacers must have felt annoyed by the spanking received Thursday evening.

The star of this match was finally Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers leader. The one who had discovered a passion for the Lebrun brothers during his Olympic summer with Team USA, literally caught fire at the end of the third quarter, scoring an impressive series of sixteen points in three minutes, when the Texans thought they had done the hardest part by taking back the score (77-76). Like a revenge of his Olympic final spent on the bench.

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“When you have a young team like ours, this kind of experience allows us to spend time together, to share a lot of things. It will be useful for the future,” said positively Mitch Johnson, the Texan coach who wanted to remember the experience, more than the simple sporting result.

Because the end of the game largely turned in favor of its opponents (98-136, final score). But this heavy defeat will not tarnish the record of this very special week, in the eyes of the American league and especially of the French prodigy, who had to manage a strong emotional environment. “I can't imagine what it must have been like for him to come home and play that game, all the excitement and responsibility that comes with it. We would have loved to win both games for him,” said veteran point guard Chris Paul.

“Treasure him”

Wemby, for his part, was simply happy to have been able to experience those few days a little out of time. “This week has been incredible, full of emotions, savored a slightly moved Victor Wembanyama. Everyone did everything to make it exceptional. It made me very happy. Mentally, it feels good to find your roots again. It's priceless, it will help you fuel up for the rest of the season. As a team, it made us grow. I don't know if I've entered the hearts of the French, it will happen naturally, it's a ten-year adventure with the French public, there's no rush. This kind of experience makes you grow, it's good for the soul more than the player.”

A player as much as an extraordinary man, as Chris paid tribute to him Paul. “You are lucky to be able to follow him for years to come,” he said to the journalists. Be careful not to just take care of him, but keep him like a real treasure.” Even if we will unfortunately have to wait before seeing him again in France.