Indiana
Spurs vs Pacers NBA game today live. Latest scores, highlights, stats, expert prediction
The Indiana Pacers (24-19) will face the San Antonio Spurs (19-22) in Paris in the first of two games. These are two winnable games with the Pacers now just a game out of fourth in the Eastern Conference.
The Spurs are, of course, led by Frenchman Victor Wembanyama (24.4 ppg, 35.4% on 3s, 10.8 rpg, 4.0 bpg), the reason the games are being played in Paris. His improved supporting cast includes Devin Vassell (16.3 ppg, 36.6% on 3s, 3.1 apg), Chris Paul (9.6 ppg, 36.5% on 3s, 8.2 apg), Harrison Barnes (11.1 ppg, 40.5% on 3s) and rookie Stephen Castle (11.6 ppg). Follow along here for updates throughout the game:
The Pacers showing some signs of life even though it’s not likely to matter. Bennedict Mathurin just threw down a dunk off an Andrew Nembhard steal. Myles Turner has a 3. The Pacers are up 7-2 so far. But they have to maintain this pace for 12 minutes.
Wembanyama finished a put-back to end an absurd third quarter for the Spurs. They outscored the Pacers 45-23. Spurs were 17 of 23 from the field, 7 of 10 from 3, 4 of 4 at the line for a ridiculous 1.89 points per possession. Pacers were 8 of 23, 2 of 7 from 3, 5 of 6 from the line for 0.90 points per possession. And the Spurs have pretty much put this one out of reach.
The Spurs are up 34-21 in the third. They’ve been up by as many as 20. Been a pretty brutal defensive effort in the third for the Pacers. San Antonio is 12 of 16 from the field for the period and 6 of 8 from 3 and 4 of 4 from the line for 1.81 points per possession.
A Tre Jones fast-break layup and a Keldon Johnson 3-pointer have the Spurs continuing to roll in the third The Spurs have 25 points in just over seven minutes. An absurdly efficient start.
The Spurs built a lead as big as 13 points before the Pacers finally pushed back with a dunk and a reverse layup from Bennedict Mathurin. Still, the Pacers haven’t had any answers for the Spurs on defense and for Victor Wembanyama in particular. The Spurs are 7 of 10 from the floor this quarter, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range for 2.02 points per possession which obviously is a huge, huge problem for the Pacers.
The Pacers just gave up another easy putback with Harrison Barnes all alone on an offensive rebound so Rick Carlisle called timeout. The Spurs are up 12-7 to start the third and now they have their biggest lead of the game. Barnes is 3 of 3 from the floor this quarter and the Spurs are 4 of 5.
Neither team had a lead bigger than five points in the first half but the Spurs take the lead at the break with a bucket by Devin Vassell. The Pacers don’t have a lot of room for error with Wembanyama on the floor but they have allowed a few too many shots around the rim for their liking.
At the break, the Pacers are 23 of 50 from the floor, 7 of 23 from 3-point range and 4 of 4 from the line for 1.10 points per possession. The Spurs are 26 of 48 from the floor, 8 of 20 from 3 with no free throws for 1.15 points per possession. Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin have 11 points each and Bennedict Mathurin has 10 to lead the Pacers. Pascal Siakam has nine. Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs with 15 points. Devin Vassell has 14.
The Spurs are up 23-19 in the glass and it’s not just Wembanyama who’s making it happen, so Rick Carlisle just called timeout after a Keldon Johnson putback to make the point that it’s not so much acceptable.
The Spurs rally back and they’re getting some easy buckets at the rim. They’re up to 20 points in the paint so far and it’s not just Wembanyama getting it done, though Wembanyama is up to 15 points already.
Even with Wembanyama on the floor the Pacers got three buckets at the rim to start the second quarter. T.J. McConnell got a clean layup on a give-and-go, Pascal Siakam scored on a putback and Siakam found Bennedict Mathurin for a dunk in transition. Good start there.
The Pacers need to win the non-Wembanyama minutes by a lot because he just changes so much of what an opponent can do on offense. They won those minutes in this case but not by a whole lot and Wembanyama stepped back on to the floor just before the end of the first quarter to get the Spurs the lead back.
Obi Toppin hit three big 3s to get the Pacers on track, though, and at the end of one, they are 11 of 27 from the floor, 5 of 13 from 3 and 2 of 2 at the line for 1.08 points per possession. The Spurs are 13 of 27, 4 of 12 from 3 with no turnovers for 1.07 points per possession. Wembanyama has 10 points already.
Victor Wembanyama just engineered a 7-0 run almost entirely by himself. T.J. McConnell cut under the basket for what should’ve been an easy layup and would’ve been against anyone else, but he rushed the shot and Wembanyama kinda altered it and got the rebound. On the other end Wembanyama hit a 3. Myles Turner rushed a 3 a little and missed and then Wembanyama threw down a dunk. Bennedict Mathurin forced a pass into traffic with Wembanyama on him and then Wembanyama threw a lob into Stephon Castle that Castle turned into a layup.
Both teams started slow in terms of shooting the ball, but Pascal Siakam is finding a rhythm and is 3 of 3 from the floor. Tyrese Haliburton also has a 3. Victor Wembanyama is proving just as much of a deterrent as you would expect and he blocked a Myles Turner dunk attempt from behind. He also just hit a deep 2 reminding everyone of his range. But the Pacers are 5 of 10 so far against the 4 of 8 Spurs.
Pacers
PG — Tyrese Haliburton
SG — Andrew Nembhard
SF — Bennedict Mathurin
PF — Pascal Siakam
C — Myles Turner
Spurs
PG — Chris Paul
SG — Devin Vassell
SF — Stephon Castle
PF — Harrison Barnes
C — Victor Wembanyama
Both teams have fairly clean injury report. The Pacers’ is clean except for Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman being out long-term with their Achilles tendon tears. Spurs wing Jeremy Sochan was questionable with a bilateral lumbar spine bone bruise, but he’s available.
2 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Accor Arena in Paris, France.
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.
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.
FanDuel Sports Network, with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting).
Watch games on FanDuel Sports Network and ESPN with Fubo, which offers a free trial. Watch games on TNT with Sling TV.
Radio: 93.5, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play)
January
Thur., Jan. 2: W, Pacers 128, Miami 115
Sat., Jan. 4: W, Pacers 126, Phoenix 106
Mon., Jan. 6: W, Pacers 113, Brooklyn 99
Wed., Jan. 8: W, Pacers 129, Chicago 113.
Fri., Jan. 10: W, Pacers 108, Golden State 96
Sun., Jan. 12: W, Pacers 108, Cleveland 93
Tue., Jan. 14: L, Cleveland 127, Pacers 113
Thur., Jan. 16: W, Pacers 111, Detroit 100
Sat., Jan. 18: W, Pacers 115, Philadelphia 102
Thur., Jan. 23, vs. San Antonio (in Paris), 2 p.m., NBA TV
Sat., Jan. 25, at San Antonio (in Paris), noon, ESPN
Wed., Jan. 29, vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
February
Sat., Feb. 1, vs. Atlanta, 5 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 3, at Utah, 9 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 4, at Portland, 10 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 6, at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 8, at L.A. Lakers, 4 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 11, New York, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Wed., Feb. 12, at Washington, 7 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 20, vs. Memphis, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 23, vs. L.A. Clippers, 5 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 24, vs. Denver, 7 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 26, vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 28, at Miami, 8 p.m.
March
Sun., March 2, vs. Chicago, 5 p.m.
Tue., March 4, vs. Houston, 7 p.m.
Thur., March 6, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 8, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Mon., March 10, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Tue., March 11, vs. Milwaukee 7 p.m., TNT
Fri., March 14, at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Sat., March 15, at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Mon., March 17, at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Wed., March 19, vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.
Thur., March 20, vs. Brooklyn, 7 p.m., NBA TV
Sat., March 22, vs. Brooklyn, 5 p.m.
Mon., March 24, vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Wed., March 26, vs. L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Thur., March 27, at Washington, 7 p.m.
Sat., March 29, at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Mon., March 31, vs. Sacramento, 7 p.m.
April
Wed., April 2, vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Fri., April 4, vs. Utah, 7 p.m.
Sun., April 6, at Denver, 8 p.m.
Tue., April 8, vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
Thur., April 10, vs. Cleveland, 7 p.m., TNT
Fri., April 11, vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.
Sun., April 13, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
October
Wed., Oct. 23: W, Pacers 115, Detroit 109
Fri., Oct. 25: L, New York 123, Pacers 98
Sun., Oct. 27, L, Philadelphia 118, Pacers 114
Mon., Oct. 28, L, Orlando 119, Pacers 115
Wed., Oct. 30, W, Pacers 135, Boston 132
November
Fri., Nov. 1: L, New Orleans 125, Pacers 118
Mon., Nov. 4: W, Pacers 134, Dallas 127
Wed., Nov. 6: W, Pacers 118, Orlando 111
Fri., Nov. 8, L, Charlotte 103, Pacers 83
Sun., Nov. 10: W, Pacers 132, New York 121
Wed., Nov. 13: Orlando 94, Pacers 90
*-Fri., Nov. 15: L, Miami 124, Pacers 111
Sun., Nov. 17: W, Pacers 119, Miami 110
Mon., Nov. 18: L, Toronto 130, Pacers 119
Wed., Nov. 20: L, Houston 130, Pacers 113
*-Fri., Nov. 22: L, Milwaukee 129, Pacers 117
Sun., Nov. 24: W, Pacers 115, Washington 103
Mon., Nov. 25: W, Pacers 114, New Orleans 110
Wed., Nov. 27: W, Pacers 121, Portland 114
*-Fri., Nov. 29: L, Detroit 130, Pacers 106
December
Sun., Dec. 1: L, Memphis 136, Pacers 121
*-Tue., Dec. 3: L, Toronto 122, Pacers 111
Wed., Dec. 4: L, Brooklyn 99, Pacers 90
Fri., Dec. 6: W, Pacers 132, Chicago 123
Sun., Dec. 8: L, Charlotte 113, Pacers 109
Fri., Dec. 13: W, Pacers 121, Philadelphia 107
Sun., Dec. 15: W, Pacers 119, New Orleans 104
Thur., Dec. 19: W, Pacers 120, Phoenix 111
Sun., Dec. 22: W, Pacers 122, Sacramento 95
Mon., Dec. 23: W, Pacers 111, Golden State 105
Thu., Dec. 26: L, Oklahoma City 120, Pacers 114
Fri., Dec. 27: L, Boston 142, Pacers 105
Sun., Dec. 29: W, Pacers 123, Boston 114
Tue., Dec. 31: L, Milwaukee 120, Pacers 112
Indiana
Braun administration pushes to enhance National Guard’s policing role during riots
DeWine, Beshear talk government shutdown, national guard, more
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear discuss the current government shutdown, appropriate use of the national guard and more.
The Indiana National Guard wants to enhance some guardsmen’s role as police officers during times of civil unrest, as debates about the military’s role in policing play out nationwide amid President Trump’s deployment of federal forces in Democrat-led cities.
National Guard spokeswoman Lauren Houck confirmed the state is pushing a program that would offer Indiana law enforcement training to military police so those federal troops can “add value,” rather than merely add bodies, when working alongside local police during situations like the 2020 riots. Military police typically enforce federal laws on National Guard property, but governors can call guardsmen out to support local law enforcement and first responders during emergencies.
The Indiana National Guard approached Gov. Mike Braun’s office to make the request for the change. Houck would not say whether this training will give guardsmen broader authority to act as police in Indiana, enforcing local laws and making arrests, or if National Guard leadership just wants its troops to be better prepared for emergencies.
The news come days after IndyStar reported that Statehouse insiders are researching legislation that could grant more policing power to guardsmen in local jurisdictions. While some Republicans push for an expanded role for the National Guard, at least one Democratic lawmaker wary of military intervention in policing has filed legislation to restrict its power.
The new program would ultimately need to be approved by the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board, the body that creates training requirement for all Indiana police officers. The state’s basic training for new police officers requires more than 600 hours of coursework in criminal and traffic law, emergency vehicle operations, human behavior and de-escalation. It’s unclear how quickly the proposed program would train military police.
“These preliminary discussions have been about creating a fair and efficient process, while ensuring proper certifications and training are in place,” Houck said in a statement.
Houck said the new training has been discussed for months, but the need for it stems from the 2020 protests and riots that swept through Indiana cities after the police killing of George Floyd. At the time, Gov. Eric Holcomb stationed National Guard to defend state property, but their role in actively policing protesters was limited.
Braun said in a statement he supports the new training program because “law enforcement deserves every tool and partner they need to keep Hoosiers safe.”
Braun has so far declined to use the National Guard to intervene in local policing, even after violence in downtown Indianapolis this summer prompted calls by Republicans and the local police union for the state to step in.
But this week the governor showed his willingness to help the Trump administration by agreeing to deploy about 300 National Guard troops to Washington D.C. next month, after the president declared a public emergency over crime in the nation’s capital in August.
Meanwhile, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita earlier this month called for Trump to deploy National Guard troops to address crime in Indianapolis.
What Indiana law says about the National Guard
Trump’s National Guard deployments in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland have been stalled by lawsuits and court rulings, igniting a debate over whether the president is violating federal law that generally bars military troops from doing civilian law enforcement.
Indiana law gives the governor broad authority to call out guardsmen, who are part-time, ad-hoc military members, in extreme situations such as war, invasion, natural disaster and rioting. National Guard troops do not typically enforce local laws or make arrests but rather conduct patrols and provide logistical support to keep the peace.
During a state emergency, however, Indiana law does grant guardsmen some authority to disperse participants in an “unlawful assembly” and arrest those who refuse. Another portion allows guardsmen to arrest someone who knowingly or intentionally enters a street that the National Guard has closed off.
Even when a governor declares an emergency, local officials can challenge their deployment to cities. A Tennessee judge on Nov. 17 temporarily blocked the Republican governor’s deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, ruling that crime rates in the southern city were not a “grave emergency” or “disaster” warranting an emergency response.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has rejected the idea of National Guard intervention in local law enforcement. The mayor noted that criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings in Indianapolis have fallen by roughly 50% after they soared to record highs in 2021, according to IMPD data.
Democrat files legislation to restrict National Guard power
While some state Republicans seek to broaden the National Guard’s power, a state Democrat who works in law enforcement has filed legislation to restrict guardsmen’s ability to enforce laws and make arrests.
State Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis, filed House Bill 1015 Nov. 18 to prevent the governor from ordering any National Guard member “to perform any law enforcement duty that may result in the surveillance, apprehension, detention, or arrest of an individual” without formally declaring a state of emergency for one of three situations: “a natural disaster, a riot, or an act of terrorism.”
A captain at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in his day job, Gore told IndyStar he sees a need for the bill because some Republican state lawmakers have asked his opinion on allowing National Guard troops to function as police officers.
House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, did not respond to a request for comment on his party’s position on enhancing the National Guard’s policing power.
Gore said federal intervention in policing undermines a community’s trust in local law enforcement. He called such action “fundamentally un-American,” invoking the longstanding belief that troops on American streets are a threat to democracy and personal liberty.
“As a cop, I know that it just a practically stupid thing to do to use the Guard in this way,” Gore said. “Modern policing relies ultimately upon a trusting relationship between the public and the police.”
He said deploying guardsmen to Indiana cities without a serious emergency “will make community members feel once again like colonists felt back in the 1700s: like they are subjects to be ruled over by force, rather than we are neighbors all trying to achieve the same goal.”
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
Indiana
Police thwart ‘swatting’ attempt of 3rd Indiana lawmaker, amid Trump’s redistricting push
IndyStar’s Kayla Dwyer on Indiana Senate’s decision to not redistrict
IndyStar reporter Kayla Dwyer reports on the Indiana Senate’s decision to not redistrict, despite President Donald Trump’s push to do so.
A third Republican senator from Indiana has been targeted in a swatting incident the morning of Nov. 20 as pressure on redistricting holdouts continues to mount.
Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, was notified around 8 a.m. that someone had falsely reported domestic abuse at his address and threatened violence to officers who responded. Deery is opposed to mid-decade redistricting.
“It is disturbing that anyone would attempt to harm or intimidate lawmakers, but sadly not all that surprising in the current environment,” he said in a news release. “When our family decided to enter the public arena four years ago, we knew our lives would change, but we believed then – and still believe today – that it is important for people who are committed to representing the people with integrity and an attitude of public service to step up. We will continue to do our duty and to do what is in the best interest of our district, no matter the threats.”
The night before the incident, someone had delivered an unpaid pizza to Deery’s home. While not as serious as swatting, Deery said in the release, the tactic conveying “we know where you live” should always be condemned.
The Indiana State Police is investigating multiple incidents of swatting against lawmakers, it announced Nov. 20, and will seek criminal prosecution for those responsible.
“The Indiana State Police warn that not only is this potentially dangerous to all involved, but it is also against the law,” the law enforcement agency said in a statement. “While the motives for this type of activity may vary, we are working diligently with local, county and federal law enforcement partners to identify those responsible for these reckless, careless and illegal activities.”
Two other senators victims of swatting
The incident against Deery follows a string of other swatting attacks.
Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, was also a victim of swatting, he announced Nov. 19.
“It is scary and shocking to me that someone would go so far to try to cause harm or fear to me or my family,” Dernulc said. “I have always done my best to serve my community, be their voice, and work alongside them and my colleagues at the Statehouse to help make Indiana a great state. It is sad because of these efforts and work that I am villainized in some minds to the point of harmful retaliation.”
Days earlier, Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, was also swatted. The incident occurred hours after President Donald Trump mentioned Goode in a critical Truth Social post.
“While this entire incident is unfortunate and reflective of the volatile nature of our current political climate, I give thanks to God that my family and I are ok,” Goode said over the weekend in a statement.
While neither lawmaker has issued a public stance on redistricting, both voted to reconvene in January instead of December for redistricting.
The swatting incidents follow a decision by Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, to not take up the issue of redistricting. Bray’s announcement that the Senate doesn’t have the votes has brought fury from Trump and other redistricting proponents, including Gov. Mike Braun, who see Indiana as critical to maintain control of Congress.
Trump has called anti-redistricting senators “RINOs,” or “Republicans In Name Only,” and promised to primary those who don’t reverse course. His pressure on Braun to get the job done has also appeared to raise the stakes: the governor said Nov. 18 he would try to “compel” the Senate to meet.
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or follow her on X @marissa_meador.
Indiana
This Indiana football coach was new to the staff and is ‘such a blessing’ to Heisman contender
BLOOMINGTON — A Heisman frontrunner on the verge of leading his program to its first Big Ten championship game appearance, Fernando Mendoza on Wednesday singled out another one of his behind-the-scenes mentors as crucial to his success this season.
Mendoza — who has routinely praised Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti for his improvement since arriving from Cal — also lauded the importance these last several months of first-year quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer.
“I don’t think I can put it in words,” Mendoza said during a lengthy Zoom call, “how much coach Whitmer has meant to me.”
Hired in the winter to replace Tino Sunseri after he left for UCLA, Whitmer came to Indiana boasting an extensive background coaching and collaborating with high-level QBs.
Across college and NFL stops as a graduate assistant, quality control coach and passing game specialist, Whitmer has worked alongside quarterbacks including Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Justin Herbert, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
The Illinois native, Mendoza said, has been crucial to not just his development, but the growth of Indiana’s entire quarterback room.
“He’s been such a blessing, and honestly one of the huge reasons that I’ve been having the season I’ve had so far,” Mendoza said. “It’s been such a blessing for my brother (Alberto) and I, and the entire quarterback room, to have coach Whitmer. … He’s such a great coach.”
Mendoza compared the 34-year-old Whitmer — who played collegiately at Illinois and UConn, as well as in junior college — to Rams coach Sean McVay.
McVay broke through as a position coach and coordinator at the NFL level in his late 20s, and landed the Rams job at 31. He led Los Angeles to victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Mendoza said he sees similar qualities in Whitmer, who he credited for help him with everything from footwork and timing, to mentality and small details.
So far this season, Mendoza has passed for 2,641 yards, completing 73% of his passes. His 30 passing touchdowns and 35 total touchdowns are both best among Power Four quarterbacks, and he’s second narrowly behind fellow Heisman contender Julian Sayin in passer rating, per CFBStats.com.
“To have him there be my quarterbacks coach and to help have his input in the offense, along with coach Cignetti and (offensive coordinator Mike) Shanahan, coach Whitmer has stepped up above and beyond to help me,” Mendoza said. “It’s still a long journey, a long season to go, and a lot of improvement to do, but to have him has been truly special.”
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