The Pacers are in Paris because someone has to be the opponent to French phenom Victor Wembanyama, but they're getting everything out of the trip.

The Indiana Pacers are in Paris this week to play two games against the San Antonio Spurs. We know why the Spurs are playing in Paris: Victor Wembanyama. But why the Pacers? Well, look at a map of Indiana.

The main events start Thursday when Wembanyama and the Spurs take on the Indiana Pacers in the first of two games in Paris. The rematch is Saturday, both happening at Accor Arena, the same building where Wembanyama played in the knockout round of the Paris Olympics last summer when he and France wound up losing to the U.S. in the gold-medal game.

The week is essentially going to be a celebration of France’s own Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio’s reigning NBA Rookie of the Year.