They say 13 is an unlucky number, but not for the NBA on Thursday night as the thirteenth regular-season game in history to be played in Europe truly defined the meaning of the NBA Global Games.
After previous iterations at London’s O2 Arena, the Accor Arena in Paris – at the fourth attempt – truly felt like an atmosphere that would mirror a contest in its traditional American heartland.
The key factor to that? San Antonio Spurs’ French superstar Victor Wembanyama.
France has been bristling in anticipation of their prodigal son playing compeтιтively on home soil since the NBA announced Thursday night and this upcoming Saturday night’s double-header last April against the Indiana Pacers.
A NBA first, this is the first time in history that two regular-season games are being played in succession in Europe with center Wembanyama the magnetic pull to transcend the Parisian public.
The 21-year-old had spoken in the build-up to this first match that he hoped to put on a show for those inside the Accor Arena. He did more than that – receiving an encore towards the end of the third quarter as he was serenaded with chants of ‘Wemby’ and a standing ovation.
Victor Wembanyama dunked on the Indiana Pacers as he led San Antonio Spurs to victory
He was too good for the Pacers as the Spurs won 140-110 in Thursday’s NBA Global Game
Standing at 7ft 4in, the 21-year-old was a menace to the Pacers defensively and offensively
All eyes were on Wembanyama with the match held in Paris and the Frenchman delivered
In a sport dominated by big men, the 7ft 4in center was head and shoulders above every player on the floor here on Thursday – in the literal and verbal sense as he finished with 30 points – including four made three-pointers, 11 rebounds, six ᴀssists and five blocks as he inspired his side to a blow-out 140-110 win over Indiana.
‘Tonight was definitely different,’ Wembanyama reflected on his post-match performance as he credited the crowd for inspiring him.
‘It’s a different kind of support that the crowd brings. We try to use the circumstances to our advantage every time, and tonight was an easy night to use that.’
For someone of his frame, he moved with the grace and poise of a ballet dancer as the Pacers had no answer for his talents on the offensive and defensive end.
Seeing him up close was a treat for all those inside as he showcased his full repertoire of Gaelic flair that wouldn’t be out of place across the city at the Stade de France with rugby union’s Six Nations starting next Friday.
France’s stirring La Marseillaise was sung during the pre-game ceremony ahead of tip-off but that did not generate the fervour that followed moments later when Wembanyama said hello to the crowd on the microphone, which whipped them up into a frenzy.
This was a ‘home’ game for the Pacers but by that reception received for one of their own, the Parisian crowd let it be known who they were willing on to win.
In his pre-match press conference Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle believed the fan favourite was a leading Defensive Player of the Year contender and within the opening few minutes that was on show as Spurs’ No 1 denied Pacers center Myles Turner at the rim.
Wembanyama whipped the crowd into a frenzy during his introduction pre-match speech
Wembanyama rises high for a dunk during his 30-point outing at the Accor Arena on Thursday
Bennedict Mathurin was the highest-scorer on the Pacers with 24 points in their heavy loss
It took him four minutes to score his first points of the night with a long-two, but by the end of the first quarter he already had 10 points, four rebounds and an ᴀssist.
His production continued in the second quarter, but he was floored at one point by Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin who then completed a basket. Mathurin was a small bright spot for a disappointing Pacers side as he finished the match with 24 points from an impressive eight-of-11 shooting.
By half-time the scoreline was 60-57 in the Spurs’ favour. That is how good as it got for the Pacers who were demolished in the third quarter – losing that 12-minute period 45-23 as Wembanyama destroyed them at will on both ends of the floor. This was encapsulated by a jaw-dropping spell in the final two minutes and 25 seconds with three-straight blocks on Pacer possessions alongside four points, three rebounds and two ᴀssists that drew excitement from his adoring fans.
‘I don’t know if we have ever given up that many points in a quarter, even when we were bad on defence. Giving up 45 points in one quarter is alarming,’ Carlisle bemoaned to Mail Sport in his post-match press conference.
‘You have to give the Spurs a lot of credit, they played at a very high level led by Victor – who was sensational. Their sH๏τ-making was great, we just got to be much better.’
In the fourth quarter, Spurs No 1 finished a solo move that started with this wonderful euro-step
Wembanyama will look to produce a repeat display on Saturday vs Indiana at the Accor Arena
Those supporters were in awe in the fourth quarter when he made a balletic euro-step move around Tyrese Haliburton before lobbing the ball up to himself off the backboard to finish.
Wembanyama checked out of the game with five minutes remaining to another standing ovation and chants of ‘MVP’. Soon after the Pacers waved the white flag and took out their starters with four minutes left but in truth their race was run after half-time.
It’s Paris Fashion Week at the moment and Paris Saint-Germain produced a memorable comeback to beat Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night but 24 hours later Wembanyama demonstrated why he is the literal poster boy of his city this week.
The Indiana Pacers are going to have make some strong adjustments to tear that poster down on Saturday and avoid a repeat of being on the end of his greatness.
