The win allowed the Pacers to split the two-game series while showcasing the brilliance of their young star, Tyrese Haliburton, who turned in an outstanding performance. Haliburto

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 of two classes in the All-Defensive First Team center's home country.

On Thursday, the Indiana Pacers lost the first of their two games in Paris against the San Antonio Spurs, falling 140-110. Victor Wembanyama, cheered on by his hometown crowd, scored 30 points and blocked five shots in a dominant two-way performance.

Indiana's Rick Carlisle has coached more games against San Antonio's Gregg Popovich than anyone else. They've had 87 head-to-head matchups, including playoffs.

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.

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

The Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs were in the City of Lights for the 2025 NBA Paris Games this month. How did they do?

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

If Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is going to remember anything from his Paris trip, it is not the iconic landmarks, but the adrenaline rush he experienced with the police escort to the Accor Arena for an NBA game against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

Victor Wembanyama’s standout play for the San Antonio Spurs this season has already caught the attention of NBA insiders, with a rival head coach predicting that the young French center will earn a significant honor this year.

I just want to underline that this week was amazing,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said after Saturday's game versus the Pacers.

San Antonio outscored Indiana, 45-23, in a third frame annihilation that essentially ended the game. Carlisle: "I don't know if we've ever given up that many points in a quarter, even when we were ...