This Thursday, January 23, 2024, the first NBA Paris Games match was held between Wembanyama’s Spurs and Pascal Siakam’s Pacers.
Bercy’s favorite for his return to France six months after the Olympics, Victor Wembanyama brilliantly led San Antonio (140-110) to success during the first of two NBA meetings pitting him against the Pacers this week in the capital.
“Aren’t there any Spurs fans here? It’s a huge pleasure to be able to come to Paris”launched “Wemby” into the microphone a few minutes before the meeting. Seeing the numerous jerseys in the colors of San Antonio, often flocked with the number 1 of the 21-year-old, the Frenchman already had his answer.
Listening to the enthusiasm caused by his appearance on screen when the teams were announced, there was no doubt that many were there for him. They did well.
Returning six months after the silver medal gleaned at the Games with the Blues, Victor Wembanyama had a full match, for the first of two acts against the Pacers, before the second Saturday (6:00 p.m.).
Double-double
“It’s a perfect evening, because there is victory and style”declared the main interested party, who classifies this meeting “in one of the matches that mean the most to me and in terms of pure performance, in the top 5”.
Because the native of Chesnay, in Yvelines, offered himself nothing more and nothing less than a double-double (30 points, 11 rebounds, with six assists and five blocks) in a packed Bercy (15,935 spectators), filled with basketball stars (Tony Parker, Joakim Noah, David Robinson…) and other faces of sport (Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Esteban Ocon, Florent Manaudou).
“One of the most complete matches”
A first basket scored after four minutes of play, a sequence of award-winning baskets, dunks and assists for Devin Vassell, Wembanyama was already causing admiration and celebrations, as he came out of the break (60-57 for San Antonio) with already 15 points (five rebounds, three assists). L’“Alien” – nickname given by LeBron James – was far from having shown everything.
In an exceptional sequence, he followed up with three blocks, two passes, a dunk… and a tap at the buzzer to finish. Enough to provoke an even bigger ovation as the Spurs took off in the third quarter.
-“MVP ! MVP !” the audience, visibly delighted, began to sing when it came out. The day almost was perfect as the Frenchman came very close to securing a starting place for a first All-Star Game in February. But, ahead of Kevin Durant, Wembanyama will have to wait until next week to find out if he is one of the replacements.
“I told ‘Vic’ it was one of the most complete matches I’ve seen him play,” Chris Paul admitted, “with the expectations, being at home, in front of the family and friends, some could have lost their game and overdone it, but he played a great game on both ends.”rejoiced the 39-year-old leader.
“Breathtaking”
“I don’t know what Victor said before the match but it worked well anyway”also admitted Pacers coach Rick Carlisle after the meeting, “France must be proud of him, he achieves breathtaking things”.
“Wemby arrive !” we read in a video posted by the NBA a few hours before the meeting, showing the main interested party smiling, sunglasses on his eyes. Instead of sunglasses, many preferred hoodies and umbrellas around the Bercy Arena, bathed in rain shortly before the doors opened.
“I think he will do great things, and I hope he will have a good match above all”wished Alexandre Hoareau, 21-year-old student and Spurs fan “already since the Tony Parker era, but here with Wemby even more!”
Leaving a bar terrace a few meters from the room, and surrounded by friends dressed in sweatshirts and jerseys in the colors of San Antonio, Benjamin, 23, had chosen the Pacers. “Indiana is stronger on paper, San Antonio is the beginning of a building” et “Wembanyama is strong, but it’s only his second year”he admitted, still cautious.
However, “if he scores 45 points” as one of his friends bet, “then I will probably walk home”. No need to put in so much for “Wemby” to put Paris at its feet.
