The story, as Buford tells it, goes like this: Claudio Crippa, an international scout for the Spurs, proposed going to see a youth game before checking out Doumbouya. Buford saw Wembanyama play for the first time that day. And the seeds for the Spurs' new master plan were immediately planted.

Tyrese Haliburton's 3-point barrage and the Pacers' full-court pressure helped Indiana beat the Spurs by 38 in Paris after Thursday's 30-point loss.

I just want to underline that this week was amazing,” Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said after Saturday's game versus the Pacers.

The Pacers and Spurs will play their second game in Paris on Saturday, Jan. 25 at noon ET on ESPN in the U.S. and 6 p.m. CET on beIN SPORTS and Canal+ in France. The games mark the first time the NBA is playing two regular-season games in Paris in the same season.

SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA picks and predictions for San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers on Saturday in Paris, France in the NBA Paris Games 2025

France's Victor Wembanyama could not prevent his San Antonio Spurs side suffering a 136-98 defeat by the Indiana Pacers in the second of two NBA games in Paris.