San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) claps following a Paris Games 2025 NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Paris, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PARIS — The final tally for Victor Wembanyama’s trip in Paris: two games, 50 points, 23 rebounds, eight assists, six blocks, two courts dedicated, one trip to the Eiffel Tower, a Fashion Week appearance, a Champions League match attended and about a million high-fives.

And one win. It wasn’t the two he wanted from this homecoming. But there were a slew of other moments to make this trip back to Paris worth remembering.

Article continues after this advertisement

“This week was amazing,” Wembanyama said. “I was just seeing my family. I’m not trying to get emotional, but everybody did their job to making this week incredible.”

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Alex Eala gets the boot in Singapore Tennis Open qualifiers SPORTS Djokovic takes jab at injury 'experts' with MRI photo of left hamstring SPORTS PBA: Robert Bolick, NLEX beat Rain or Shine to keep playoff bid alive READ: NBA: Haliburton, Pacers run away from Wembanyama, Spurs in Paris

Saturday’s outcome wasn’t what he wanted: Indiana 136, San Antonio 98 was the final, with Tyrese Haliburton scoring 28 for the Pacers. But at least one thing was to Wembanyama’s liking, sort of. He noted during the Olympics that the French are very passionate about their national anthem, and that when it’s performed before sporting events the fans tend to drown out the performer by singing it themselves.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the insurance claims must be immediately released to ensure recovery in agricultural production.

Wheat futures also slipped after the USDA raised its global wheat supply outlook, though concerns about exports from the Black Sea limited losses.

That wasn’t exactly the case on Thursday, when the Spurs-Pacers series began. Wembanyama’s appeal was evidently heard by the French over the next 48 hours; the voices from the stands were much louder on Saturday. It still wasn’t exactly what he wanted, but it was better.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I appreciate the effort,” Wembanyama said.

Article continues after this advertisement

He and the Spurs landed on Monday, and he quickly took his team to a dinner and a shopping trip. Tuesday, he went back to his hometown of Le Chesnay and dedicated a pair of outdoor courts before appearing at Fashion Week. He was at a Paris Saint-Germain soccer match against Manchester City on Wednesday. Game 1 was on Thursday, the Eiffel Tower on Friday, Game 2 on Saturday, then flying back to San Antonio.

Article continues after this advertisement

And there was a lot more on that itinerary.

READ: NBA: Victor Wembanyama shines as Spurs throttle Pacers in Paris

“I can’t imagine what it was like for Vic to come back home and play,” Spurs guard Chris Paul said. “I know he was so excited. But it’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that. Every media outlet, every event, trying to see your family that you don’t get to see that often. And Vic is one of those guys who tries to sign every autograph.”

fortune slots Article continues after this advertisement

Wembanyama dominated the opener on Thursday, scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in San Antonio’s 30-point win. The Pacers made it a point of emphasis to try to do a better job against him on Saturday, and Indiana coach Rick Carlisle felt his team did just that.

He wasn’t wrong. The Pacers were aggressive and didn’t let Wembanyama get into any sort of prolonged rhythm. But even Carlisle was a bit surprised when he looked at the stat sheet postgame and saw that Wembanyama finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

“You don’t stop that guy,” Carlisle said. “He still had 20 and 12.”

Wembanyama and the Spurs fought back from a 15-point halftime deficit, briefly took the lead in the third, then fell apart as the Pacers ran away.

READ: NBA: Wembanyama dedicates new outdoor courts for kids in hometown

“At some point he’ll look back on this and realize what a treat it was,” Paul said. “We wish we could have won both games for him.”

It’s unknown when Wembanyama will play in France again. He’d love to be part of games in Paris every year, and while it would seem like a safe bet the NBA will send the Spurs back one day an annual occurrence might be unlikely.

He knows this, and that’s one of the reasons he tried to cherish every second of this trip.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“I did my best to make this week special for my team, for my family, my friendsk9win,” Wembanyama said. “But people still found ways to surprise me, to make things feel like it mattered for them, and I matter for them. So, it’s priceless.”

READ NEXT NBA: Spurs’ Wembanyama reflects on ‘amazing week&#... Haaland leads Man City revival to beat Chelsea EDITORS' PICK Mindanao-made film ‘Hello, Daisy’ triumphs at the ‘Emirates Film Festival’ Surge of amihan to bring cold weather in the coming days – Pagasa Charyzah Esparrago of Quezon City crowned Miss Supermodel Worldwide PH 2025 Australian Open: Jannik Sinner surges past Zverev to retain title Alex Eala gets the boot in Singapore Tennis Open qualifiers Bill giving 4-year term to brgy, SK execs unconstitutional – Macalintal MOST READ Palace: January 27, 2025 is a Muslim holiday, not national PH hits China bid to set a 'new order' in West Philippine Sea Marcos hopes essence of Al Isra Wal Mi'raj stirs unity, perseverance PhilHealth chief admits members suffer due to policy clash with DOH Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• amp
• #8217
• NBA
• k9win
• spurs