Victor Wembanyama delivered a spectacular homecoming performance, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 140-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday afternoon at Accor Arena in Paris, France.
The 7-foot-4 French phenom tallied 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks in the win, showcasing his versatility and dominance on both ends of the floor. Wembanyama came alive in the third quarter, racking up nine points, six rebounds, and four blocks as the Spurs outscored the Pacers 45-23 to blow the game wide open.
San Antonio carried a 105-80 lead into the final period and never allowed Indiana to close the gap to fewer than 18 points. Wembanyama punctuated his stellar outing with a highlight-reel moment in the fourth quarter, tossing a pass off the glass to himself for a dunk.
Supporting Cast Shines
Devin Vassell added 25 points, while Harrison Barnes contributed 20. Jeremy Sochan chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who shot a blistering 60.4% from the field and knocked down 18 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc, offsetting their 20 turnovers.
Pacers’ Struggles
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 24 points, while Pascal Siakam added 18 points and six assists. Myles Turner finished with 14 points, and Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin each contributed 13. However, the Pacers struggled to keep up, shooting just 45.4% from the field and being outscored in nearly every major statistical category.
Game Highlights
- First Quarter: Wembanyama scored 10 points to help the Spurs edge out a 30-29 lead.
- Second Quarter: After a tight battle, San Antonio held a narrow 60-57 halftime advantage.
- Third Quarter: The Spurs pulled away with a 20-10 run to start the second half, powered by Wembanyama and Barnes.
- Fourth Quarter: San Antonio maintained control, with Wembanyama’s self-assisted dunk providing a signature moment.
What’s Next
The two teams are set for a rematch on Saturday, once again in Paris.