Spurs Overcome Wembanyama Injury to Defeat Pacers

San Antonio's balanced scoring attack and resilience lead to 123-113 victory despite star player's absence.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting overlapping basketball players and court elements in the official colors of the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.The Spurs' resilience and balanced scoring attack prove too much for the struggling Pacers in a hard-fought NBA matchup.Today in Orlando

The San Antonio Spurs secured a hard-fought 123-113 win over the Indiana Pacers on January 2, 2026, despite the absence of their star player Victor Wembanyama due to a left knee injury. The Spurs showcased their depth and resilience, with De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle leading the scoring effort. The Pacers struggled to find their rhythm, with Pascal Siakam's 23 points and 10 rebounds not enough to overcome the Spurs' collective performance.

Why it matters

The Spurs' impressive 10-3 record without Wembanyama highlights the team's ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity, a testament to their coaching and overall depth. This victory also raises questions about the Spurs' long-term prospects, as they demonstrate the potential to succeed even without their star player.

The details

The Spurs took an early lead in the third quarter, extending it to 77-58. The Pacers fought back, cutting the deficit to 93-85 by the end of the third, but San Antonio's control throughout the fourth quarter secured the win. The Spurs shot 44% from the field, while the Pacers shot an impressive 51%, but the Spurs' dominance at the free-throw line (22-28 vs. Indiana's 13-15) proved decisive.

  • The game took place on January 2, 2026.
  • Wembanyama suffered a left knee injury during a home game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' 7-foot-4 star center who suffered a left knee injury and was ruled out for the Pacers game.

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs' player who stepped up in Wembanyama's absence, scoring 24 points.

Dylan Harper

A Spurs player who contributed 22 points to the team's victory.

Stephon Castle

A Spurs player who scored 19 points in the game.

Pascal Siakam

The Pacers' player who led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“Wembanyama's status is day-to-day, but the team's resilience has been evident.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Coach

What’s next

The Spurs will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night, while the Pacers look to bounce back against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

The takeaway

The Spurs' impressive 10-3 record without their star player Wembanyama showcases the team's depth, adaptability, and resilience, raising questions about their long-term prospects and ability to succeed even without their top talent.