Indiana Pacers vs San Antonio Spurs: Expert prediction, injury updates for games in Paris
You want a road trip? The Indiana Pacers are on an intercontinental journey as they prepare for the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama in Paris. The teams play on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.
The Pacers (24-19) have won eight of their nine games in 2025, and are as hot as any NBA team. The Pacers allow 114.6 points per game for the season (21st in the NBA), but they have allowed just 105.9 in January. Indiana scores 115.2 (11th), but they are in the top 10 in fast-break points (17.1, 6th), points in the paint (51.2, 6th), assists (28.3, 7th), 3-point shooting (37.3%, 8th), 2-point shooting (56.2%, 6th) and overall shooting (49.0%, 4th). They struggle on the boards (41.8 per game, 26th).
The Spurs (19-22) − and specifically Wemby − are the stars of this show. The 21-year-old Frenchman was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, led the host country to a silver medal in 2024 Olympics, leads San Antonio in scoring (24.5 points) and rebounds (10.8) − and leads the league in blocked shots (4.1). San Antonio has lost three games in a row and six of seven.
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Where will the Pacers play Spurs, Victor Wembanyama?
The games will be played at Accor Arena in Paris, where gold-medal basketball games and gymnastics were contested.
Pacers vs. Spurs picks, predictions
Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Spurs 117-110 on Thursday; Pacers 122-112 on Saturday
The Pacers split their games against Victor Wembanyama last season, so the guess here is that will happen again. The Pacers' roster is significantly deeper, but Wembanyama's size and skill change games. He could be more dominant with a better supporting cast -- the Spurs have lost three straight and six of their last seven -- but the Pacers rely heavily on scoring inside, and Wembanyama makes that much more difficult. The Pacers will need to make the most out of the minutes Wembanyama is off the floor.
Spurs-Pacers odds
via BetMGM
Favorite: Pacers by 2.5 points
Over/under: 230.5 total points
Moneyline: Pacers -155, Spurs +125
ESPN's matchup predictor gives the Pacers a 58.6% chance of winning on Thursday.
Pacers vs Spurs injury updates
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) and James Wiseman (Achilles) are out.
Spurs: Jeremy Sochan (back) is questionable. Riley Minix (shoulder) is out.
Pacers projected starting lineup
(with season averages)
- Pascal Siakam (20.1 points, 40.5% 3-pointers, 7.3 rebounds)
- Tyrese Haliburton (17.9 points, 8.8 assists)
- Benndict Mathurin (16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds)
- Myles Turner (15.5 points, 40.5% 3-pointers, 7.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocked shots)
- Andew Nembhard (10.6 points, 5.0 assists)
Spurs projected starting lineup
- Victor Wembanyama (24.5 points, 35.3% 3-pointers, 10.8 rebounds, 4.1 blocked shots)
- Devin Vassell (16.0 points. 36.4% 3-pointers)
- Jeremy Sochan (13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds)
- Harrison Barnes (11.2 points, 40.7% 3-pointers)
- Chris Paul (9.6 points, 8.2 assists, 1.4 steals)
What channel are Pacers on today?
- 2 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, on FanDuel Sports Network, with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting). The game is also on NBA TV.
- Noon ET Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, on FanDuel Sports Network, with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting). The game is also on ESPN.
How to watch Pacers on live stream
Watch games on FanDuel Sports Network and ESPN with Fubo. Watch games on TNT with Sling TV.
How to listen to the Pacers
93.5 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analysis) and Pat Boylan (sideline reporting). Streaming on SiriusXM Channels 86 and 891.
Pacers schedule
Jan. 16: Pacers 111, Pistons 100
Jan. 18: Pacers 115, 76ers 102
Thurs., Jan. 23: vs. San Antonio in Paris, 2 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 25: vs. San Antonio in Paris, noon
Wed., Jan. 29: vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
Spurs schedule
Jan. 17: Grizzlies 140, Spurs 112
Jan. 19: Heat 128, Spurs 107
Thurs., Jan. 23: vs. Indiana in Paris, 2 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 25: vs. Indiana in Paris, noon
Wed., Jan. 29: vs. L.A. Clippers, 8 p.m.