PARIS, France — Victor Wembanyama’s highly anticipated return to Paris ended in disappointment as the Indiana Pacers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 136-98 on Saturday, powered by Tyrese Haliburton’s scorching performance.
Haliburton, who returned to the Bercy Arena after winning Olympic gold last year, dominated the game with a 28-point performance, including six three-pointers and a 16-point third quarter.
The Pacers’ victory came as a strong response to their 140-110 defeat to the Spurs earlier in the French capital on Thursday.
Wembanyama, the 21-year-old rising NBA star, delivered an impressive individual effort, scoring 20 points while connecting on seven of 16 shots. Despite the loss, his presence in Paris drew widespread attention, with celebrities like Pharrell Williams attending the game.
“I did my best to make this week special for my team, for my family, and my friends,” Wembanyama said. “It’s priceless to see how much it meant to the people here.”
The Spurs were led in scoring by Harrison Barnes, who contributed 25 points. However, the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam added 23 points to ensure Indiana’s dominance. With the win, the Pacers improved to a 25-20 record, showcasing their resilience.
The Paris games provided Wembanyama with an opportunity to celebrate his French roots.
His week was filled with memorable moments, including attending a Paris Saint-Germain Champions League match, sitting front row at an LVMH fashion show, and inaugurating basketball courts for schoolchildren.
Off the court, Wembanyama’s popularity continued to soar. The 7-foot-4 phenom engaged with fans and the media, confirming his status as one of the NBA’s biggest names.
Boston Celtics Redeem Themselves Against Mavericks
In other NBA action, the defending champion Boston Celtics secured a 122-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in their first meeting since last season’s NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 24 points, while Derrick White added 23 and Jaylen Brown contributed 22.
The Celtics bounced back from a 21-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, dominating the Mavericks despite a strong showing from Kyrie Irving, who scored 22 points.
Dallas, still without injured star Luka Dončić, struggled to maintain consistency, with Klay Thompson managing just six points.
Timberwolves Dominate Nuggets in Playoff Rematch
The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a commanding 133-104 win over the Denver Nuggets in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference semi-finals.
Anthony Edwards led the way with 34 points and nine assists, surpassing Karl-Anthony Towns as the Timberwolves’ all-time leader in three-pointers made.
Edwards’ 23 second-half points included a long-range shot from the center court logo, a highlight of Minnesota’s dominant performance.
Denver’s Jamal Murray scored 25 points, while reigning MVP Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 11 assists but saw his streak of consecutive triple-doubles end at five.
