By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA is heading back to Europe during the 2026–27 Regular Season, with Victor Wembanyama leading the San Antonio Spurs to Paris, according to league insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
They are expected to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans in the French capital next January. This homecoming marks a continuation of the NBA’s aggressive international expansion, which will also see regular-season action in Manchester.
This Parisian showcase represents a consecutive French excursion for Wemby and the Spurs, following their matchups against the Indiana Pacers in France during the 2024-25 schedule.
The Sunday Best notes are live to coincide with tonight’s Game 7 viewing and include this news item: @TheSteinLine has learned that Victor Wembanyama will be leading the Spurs into Paris next January for two regular-season games.
Full story: https://t.co/fqksCGC6m9 pic.twitter.com/ICfqQeZU29
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 18, 2026
European fans have already been treated to matchups like the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies squaring off in Berlin and London during the 2025–26 campaign, with early league planning points toward Berlin and Paris playing host again during the 2027–28 season.
Before looking ahead to international matchups, Wembanyama must first navigate the immediate challenge of the 2026 Western Conference Finals in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with Game 1 against defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Paycom Center on Monday.
Starting a best-of-seven series, backcourt stability for the team coached by Mitch Johnson remains up in the air, with the team officially listing starting point guard De’Aaron Fox as questionable due to persistent right ankle soreness, alongside backup center Luke Kornet, who is also questionable with left foot soreness. On the opposite side, Jalen Williams has been cleared to return to action following a lengthy recovery from a debilitating left hamstring strain, but Thomas Sorber continues to recover from right ACL surgery.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions