On Thursday in Paris, the Indiana Pacers gave Frenchman Victor Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs all they could handle... for about one half of their first o

One person who is very aware of the challenges that Wembanyama presents is Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, who recently had high praise for the sophomore superstar ahead of the matchup with the Spurs, per the NBA on X.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle looks up at the screen to watch a replay video Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, during an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. / Grace Smith/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

It won’t happen, and nobody knows when — or if — Popovich will be back on the Spurs’ sideline. Popovich’s absence is a glaring one in Paris this week for the pair of NBA matchups between the Pacers and Spurs on Thursday and Saturday; he’s back home, recovering from a November stroke.

With 11 rotation players available for the first time this season, Carlisle is making it known that flexibility and adaptability will be key as the team navigates its lineup movin

They’ve seen the Eiffel Tower. They’ve had great food. They’ve enjoyed some of the best that Paris has to offer.

Last year, the Indiana Pacers made the Eastern Conference Finals and entered this season with high hopes. However, they got off to a slow start and there were concerns that the team would miss the playoffs entirely, despite largely having the same roster that found success last season.

Prediction for the NBA match between Indiana vs San Antonio, which will take place on January 23d. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the teams' conditions! Several betting options are available.

In his short career, Victor Wembanyama has taken the basketball world by storm. His San Antonio Spurs team took on the Indiana Pacers in the first of two games at the Accor Arena in Paris, with the seven-foot-three center giving home fans a lot to marvel at.

Plenty of fans at Accor Arena will be rooting for Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' star centre. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Indiana Pacers made a quick stop by the iconic Eiffel Tower while in Paris before their game series against the San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs’ struggles in January are closely related to Victor Wembanyama’s rough month. From 28.5 points per game in December, the Frenchman is averaging 20.5 ppg to start 2025. Wemby does not want to disappoint his hordes of fans, making it likely he will top his 26.5 (O/U) points prop.