San Antonio against Indiana, but especially Victor Wembanyama. Six months after the unfortunate final of the Olympics against Team USA, the French inside of the Spurs returns Thursday to Bercy as an absolute star, guaranteed to capture all eyes in the match which will pit him against the Pacers.
“We know we are in Paris: Wemby, Spurs, everyone is going to be on their side but we are ready”Pacers interior Pascal Siakam said Wednesday with a smile, well aware of the significance of the event.
At the edge of the NBA floor, which hosts the first of the two meetings between San Antonio and Indiana on Thursday (8 p.m.), the crowd of media who came to attend the training session was impressive. Above all, it was further proof of the enthusiasm aroused by the arrival of the American League in France for the fourth time, and more than anything that of its tricolor prodigy Wembanyama, called to leave his mark on his sport.
“I definitely feel a different energy”admits the person concerned, while the city of Paris has also been living to the rhythm of the NBA for several days.
“I’m waiting to see what it will be like around the hall on match days”where many basketball fans, including many celebrities, will come to fill the large performance hall in the 12th arrondissement of the capital.
Fashion week
Arrived Monday in Paris, “Wemby” has already experienced the start of the week at 100 miles an hour. With a first training in Nanterre, a return to his birthplace of Chesnay on Tuesday, or even his presence at the Louis Vuitton fashion show at Fashion Week on the same day.
Expected everywhere, followed by the media around the world, he will undoubtedly be even more so on Thursday, in his element.
His last visit to Bercy, for the Olympic Games, led to a bitter end, marked by a defeat (98-87) for the Blues against an American team led by a demented Stephen Curry.
“There are still some decorations (from the Olympics) left in the corridors, it’s nice to come back”launched Wembanyama on Wednesday, still focused a few minutes after training.
Since the Games, “I have proven myself in almost all (the fields), he had already explained a few days ago. Particularly in knowing myself and my teammates. This is reflected in many sectors but, already, statistically, there are progressions, and other statistics which are maintained”.
All-Star Game

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama passing through his hometown of Chesnay, near Paris, January 21, 2025 / Thomas SAMSON / AFP
After a first rookie season finished as the best blocker and with an average of 21.4 points at the heart of a collective which finished at the bottom of the ranking (14th out of 15 in the West, 22 victories for 60 defeats), the N.1 of the 2023 draft has continued to grow.
He is now averaging 24.4 points and 4 blocks per game – still the best in this area – and the Spurs are currently 12th, with 19 victories. In addition, Wembanyama is seeking a place in the very prestigious All Star Game in February.
“We know that he’s a really difficult player to cover, he knows how to do everything, so we won’t be able to do the job alone, we’ll try to do what we can”continues Siakam, while the Pacers will try to continue after two victories in a row – San Antonio remains on three losses in a row.
And despite “an incredible context”Victor Wembanyama believes that winning these two meetings in France “is important like all matches”.

Victor Wembanyama meets young fans on a basketball court in Chesnay, near Paris, January 21, 2025 / Thomas SAMSON / AFP
Evoking “his responsibility” with his coaches and teammates, he assures that he is “concentrated fully on everything tactical”.
And the French public undoubtedly expects to see him make sparks.