NBA Paris Games: Wembanyama sparkling, 30 points difference, slew of stars… a look back at the first match between San Antonio and Indiana

Victor Wembanyama au NBA Paris Games face aux Pacers. MAXPPP – Mohammed Badra

Ce jeudi 23 janvier 2024 s'est tenu le premier match de NBA Paris Games où s'opposait les Spurs de Wembanyama et les Pacers de Pascal Siakam.

Bercy's darling for his return to France six months after the Olympics, Victor Wembanyama brilliantly led San Antonio (140-110) to victory in the first of two NBA games against the Pacers this week in the capital.

“There are no Spurs fans here ? It's a huge pleasure to be able to come to Paris”, “Wemby” said into the microphone a few minutes before the game. Seeing the many jerseys in San Antonio colors, often bearing the 21-year-old center's No. 1, the Frenchman already had his answer.

Listening to the enthusiasm provoked by his appearance on the screen when the teams were announced, there was no doubt that many were there for him either. They did well.

Returning six months after the silver medal won at the Games with the Blues, Victor Wembanyama played a full match, for the first of the two acts against the Pacers, before the second Saturday (6:00 p.m.).

Double-double

“It's a perfect evening, because there's the victory and the manner”, declared the main interested party, who ranks this encounter “in one of the matches that are closest to my heart and in terms of pure performance, in the top 5”.

Because the native of Chesnay, in the Yvelines, offered himself no more no less than a double-double (30 points, 11 rebounds, with six assists and five blocks) in a packed Bercy (15,935 spectators), filled with basketball stars (Tony Parker, Joakim Noah, David Robinson…) and other faces of the sport (Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Esteban Ocon, Florent Manaudou).

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“One of the most complete matches”

A first basket scored after four minutes of play, a sequence of three-pointers, dunk and assist for Devin Vassell, Wembanyama was already provoking admiration and celebrations, as he came out of the break (60-57 for San Antonio) with already 15 points (five rebounds, three assists). The “Alien” – nickname given by LeBron James – was far from having shown everything.

He chained in an exceptional sequence three blocks, two assists, a dunk… and a tap at the buzzer to finish. Enough to provoke an even bigger ovation as the Spurs pulled away in the third quarter.

“MVP! MVP!”the crowd, visibly delighted, began to sing as he left. The day almost turned out to be perfect as the Frenchman came very close to earning a starting spot for his first All-Star Game in February. But, overtaken by Kevin Durant, Wembanyama will have to wait until next week to find out if he is among the replacements.

“I told 'Vic' that it was one of the most complete games I've seen him play,” admitted Chris Paul, “with the expectations, being at home, in front of family and friends, some could have lost their game and overdone it, but he played a great game on both ends”, the 39-year-old point guard rejoiced.

“Breathtaking”

“I don't know what said Victor before the match but it worked well anyway”, also admitted Pacers coach Rick Carlisle after the game, “France must be proud of him, he does breathtaking things”.

“Wemby is coming!” read a video posted by the NBA a few hours before the game, showing the main person concerned smiling, sunglasses on his eyes. Instead of sunglasses, many had opted for hoods and umbrellas around the Arena de Bercy, bathed in rain shortly before the doors opened.

“I think he's going to do great things, and I hope he's going to have a good game especially”, Alexandre Hoareau, a 21-year-old student and Spurs fan, wished “since the Tony Parker era, but now with Wemby even more!”

Coming out of a bar terrace a few meters from the venue, and surrounded by friends dressed in sweatshirts and jerseys in the colors of San Antonio, Benjamin, 23, had chosen the Pacers. “Indiana is stronger on paper, San Antonio is the beginning of a building” and “Wembanyama is strong, but it's only his second year”, he admitted still cautiously.

However, “if he scores 45 points” as one of his friends had bet, “then I'll probably walk home”. No need to score that many for “Wemby” to put Paris at his feet.