Where to watch Spurs vs. Pacers: Live stream, TV channel for NBA Paris Games, three things to know

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are set to play the Indiana Pacers in a two-game sequence in Paris, beginning on Thursday. It’ll function a homecoming of kinds for Wembanyama, who’s a French native and not too long ago helped lead the French nationwide staff to a silver medal on the 2024 Paris Olympics final summer time.

Within the lead as much as the 2 matchups, Wembanyama has been busy exhibiting his teammates round his dwelling nation and giving again to the group, which was highlighted by a court docket unveiling in his hometown. The primary sport of this sequence ideas off at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, and the second sport is on Saturday. Within the meantime, here is every part you have to know concerning the matchup and all of the fanfare surrounding it.

Spurs vs. Pacers information

Time: 2 p.m ET | Date: Thursday, Jan. 23
Location: Accor Enviornment — Paris, France
TV channel: NBA TV | Streaming: fubo (Attempt it without cost)

Wembanyama’s first NBA sport in Paris

The NBA may as properly name this week “Wemby Week” as he is been the central focus of this complete ordeal, and rightfully so. Wembanyama entered the NBA as probably the most heralded prospect since LeBron James, and has shortly lived as much as the hype simply 1.5 years into his profession. This marks the primary time Wembanyama will go well with up for the Spurs in his dwelling nation, so clearly, there’s a ton of pleasure round it.

All week, the Spurs massive man has been seen round Paris and his hometown of Le Chesnay. He is been serving to with basketball clinics, donating basketball courts that he designed and exhibiting his teammates his native stomping grounds. He even organized a dinner for his teammates on the primary evening they spent in Paris.

“[Gregg Popovich] had a schedule right here, you recognize. I do know he would have achieved one thing like that, too,” Wembanyama stated. “Doing that on the primary day was necessary for me. It was a welcome to my staff to indicate them as a result of I do know if I went to any of those guys’ nation or metropolis, I’d have gotten to search out out about the place they arrive from to be taught to know them higher as a result of they’re all good human beings. It is an actual likelihood to share these moments collectively.”

NBA stacking up common season video games in Paris

These two video games will mark the fourth and fifth time the NBA will play common season video games in Paris, all of which have occurred since 2020. The league has performed dozens of preseason video games in Paris, 90+ video games to be precise, nevertheless it wasn’t till not too long ago that the league began holding common season video games there. Final season the Cavaliers and Nets took the journey, whereas the Bulls and Pistons and Bucks and Hornets had been the earlier two matchups earlier than that. However by no means has the league spent a two-game sequence in Paris, till now.

The reason being apparent, as Wembanyama is being marketed as one of many future faces of the following technology of the NBA. However it goes past the reigning Rookie of the 12 months. France produces probably the most NBA gamers outdoors of the USA and Canada, with 14 within the league this season, probably the most ever for the nation. France additionally grew to become the primary nation outdoors of the USA to have two gamers chosen No. 1 general in back-to-back drafts, as Wemby was the highest choice in 2023, and Zaccharie Risacher went first to the Hawks in 2024. The league sees that France is changing into a hotspot for basketball and NBA expertise, and these Paris video games are a good way to acknowledge that.

Do not sleep on the Pacers

The Spurs may get all the eye, and each matchups will seemingly be dwelling video games for San Antonio, however that does not imply Indiana goes to make it simple on them. Indiana is coming into these two matchups as winners of 8 of their final 10 video games. For the reason that new 12 months, Indiana has had the second greatest win share within the league.

Pascal Siakam has led the cost for the Pacers, whereas Tyrese Haliburton appears to be rounding again into his All-Star type. Haliburton struggled with effectivity to start out the season, however in January, he is posting season-best numbers, capturing 50% from the sector and 40.7% from 3-point vary whereas averaging 19 factors in eight video games. It is not fairly the identical numbers as he had a season in the past when he made Third Group All-NBA, nevertheless it’s a big enchancment from how he was taking part in a month in the past.

With these two on the helm and a protection that has been fourth within the league this month, the Pacers are properly positioned to win each of those video games, even in an surroundings that closely favors the Spurs.