Wembanyama absent, Spurs win 123-113 in Indiana vs Pacers
123-113: Sans Wembanyama, les Spurs s'imposent à Indianapolis le 2 janvier 2026. Fox, Harper et Castle portent San Antonio face aux Pacers.
Without Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs pulled off an impressive road victory against the Indiana Pacers on January 2, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, winning 123-113 in regular season play. Despite the absence of their cornerstone, San Antonio relied on collective depth to extend Indiana’s losing streak and send a strong message to the Western Conference.
Les meilleurs du match
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Fox, Harper, Castle : trois leaders pour combler l’absence du phénomène
The Spurs came out composed in the opening quarter, establishing early rhythm through De’Aaron Fox’s aggressive drives and Stephon Castle’s playmaking. Fox finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists on an efficient 10-of-19 shooting night, while Dylan Harper — playing his most assertive game in weeks — chipped in 22 points on 9-of-15 from the field. San Antonio’s offense flowed naturally, generating open looks and capitalizing on Indiana’s defensive lapses. Castle was the connective tissue, nearly recording a double-double with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
The third quarter proved decisive. Keldon Johnson caught fire from deep, going a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range on his way to 16 points, capped by a remarkable +19 plus/minus — the best on the floor all night. San Antonio’s bench rotations held firm, with Kelly Olynyk providing steady frontcourt minutes (10 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) in a role typically anchored by the n°1 pick of the 2023 draft.
The Pacers pushed back in the fourth quarter, with Pascal Siakam leading the charge. The versatile forward posted 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Andrew Nembhard added 19 points and 6 assists off consistent mid-range execution. Micah Potter contributed 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. But Indiana could not string together the stops needed to erase the deficit, and San Antonio held on for a 10-point road win.
When depth becomes an identity: San Antonio’s character moment
The most remarkable sequence of the night may not have been a single basket but rather the sustained defensive effort that kept the Pacers from climbing back into the game late in the fourth. Castle, in particular, made two critical steals in a 90-second span that deflated any Indiana momentum, underscoring that the Spurs’ growth as a unit extends well beyond one exceptional individual. With Wembanyama sidelined — MRI results earlier in the week confirmed no ligament damage in his left knee, though a return timeline remains pending — San Antonio demonstrated the resilience that defines contending rosters.
Wembanyama’s status, team momentum, and what comes next
Victor Wembanyama’s injury update
The French phenom did not play Friday due to a left knee issue, but the encouraging news came earlier this week when the NBA confirmed that an MRI revealed no ligament damage. While the n°1 pick of the 2023 draft has no confirmed return date, the absence of structural damage is a significant positive. San Antonio will be cautious with their franchise cornerstone, and the organization appears content to manage his workload carefully through January.
A Spurs team showing collective growth
This win reinforces a growing truth about the 2025-26 Spurs: they are not a one-man team. Four players scored 16 or more points, and the starting unit combined for efficient ball movement and defensive intensity. Fox’s veteran leadership, Harper’s ascending confidence, and Castle’s near-triple-double production signal that this roster has genuine depth when Wembanyama is unavailable.
- De’Aaron Fox — 24 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast (+7)
- Dylan Harper — 22 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast (+4)
- Stephon Castle — 19 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast (+11)
- Keldon Johnson — 16 pts, 6 reb, 3/3 from three (+19)
- Kelly Olynyk — 10 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast (+4)
Next up for San Antonio
The Spurs will look to maintain their momentum as they return home, hopeful that the pivot des Spurs can rejoin the lineup in the coming days. Every win accumulated during his absence strengthens San Antonio’s standing in a competitive Western Conference race — and raises the stakes considerably for whenever Wembanyama steps back on the court.