PARIS — The fervent cheers from the audience reached a new peak even before the game commenced. All it took for Victor Wembanyama to ignite the fans in Paris was a simple greeting into a microphone, eliciting a wave of excitement that lasted for approximately 30 seconds.
This moment marked Wembanyama’s first official game as an NBA player in his home country, creating buzz around this two-game series featuring the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers, with the final matchup taking place on Saturday night.
“It felt distinctly different tonight,” Wembanyama remarked. “The support provided by the crowd was unique. We aim to leverage the circumstances as much as we can, and tonight was an ideal opportunity to do just that.”
The packed arena was thrilled with the performance. Wembanyama had an outstanding evening, racking up 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and five blocked shots, leading the Spurs to a commanding 140-110 victory. This win not only marked San Antonio’s second-largest winning margin of the season but also stood out as Indiana’s second-largest defeat.
Fans turned out in full force wearing various jerseys to support Wembanyama, showcasing Spurs jerseys in multiple colors, French national team jerseys, and shirts from his tenure in the French league. While NBA games create excitement everywhere, this event was special – a true homecoming and festive occasion.
Before the game, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his delight in being part of the league alongside Wembanyama. The towering athlete received the warmest reception when the starting lineups were revealed. The energy in the arena escalated when his face appeared on the big screens during the French national anthem, and he initiated the game with an opening tip-off. Although he missed his first shot, there were evidently not many mistakes for the rest of the night.
“I find it hard to stop him,” Indiana guard Bennedict Mathurin commented. “We do our best, but he’s really exceptional.”
This matchup was about more than just the Spurs and Pacers; it focused significantly on Wembanyama. Despite any potential stress that might accompany such a high-profile game, the reigning rookie of the year appeared unbothered.
“The crowd’s reaction was incredibly compelling, reflecting the admiration this city and country have for him, and the connection he has with them,” stated interim Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “Certain games, you know the guys will be ready regardless, and this was clearly one of those occasions.”
Earlier, the Spurs sensed Wembanyama’s enthusiasm for the day ahead. Player Harrison Barnes disclosed that Wembanyama had taken charge of the team’s pre-game playlist, choosing music from French artists.
“His excitement was palpable,” Barnes added.
The Pacers’ mascot, Boomer, who typically engages the audience with his oversized glove-wearing antics, faced an uphill battle that night. Since cheering for the Pacers would mean rallying against Wembanyama’s Spurs, the fans were decidedly loyal to their homegrown hero.
Once in the third quarter, Wembanyama nearly achieved an impressive block; however, the call from referee Zach Zarba for goaltending meant the shot counted, representing the only time the French audience cheered for the Pacers that night.
“I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle reflected. “Whatever Victor said prior to the game certainly had an effect. They executed excellently. Victor is phenomenal. The nation of France should feel immense pride; a talent like him is rare and awe-inspiring.”
While many find themselves in awe of Wembanyama’s prowess, he remains grounded, focused solely on winning rather than basking in the limelight.
“Tonight, I’m proud of my team,” Wembanyama stated. “Everything was just perfect. We secured the victory and did it the right way.”
