In a thrilling series of international basketball clashes, the France-Japan matchup stood out, electrifying fans worldwide. The game went into overtime, with France narrowly clinching victory at 94-90. Victor Wembanyama delivered a remarkable performance, scoring all his team's points in the initial four-and-a-half minutes of the extra period. Wembanyama finished with 18 points, playing a crucial role in France's win.
Matthew Strazel was also instrumental for France, forcing the game into overtime with a dramatic four-point play with just 10 seconds left in regulation. This forced the Japanese side to extend their efforts, but the absence of Rui Hachimura, who was ejected with eight-and-a-half minutes left in regulation, undoubtedly left an impact. Hachimura had been dominant up to that point, registering 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting in just 28 minutes before his ejection. Yuki Karamura did his best to fill the void, putting up 29 points for Japan, yet it was not enough to secure a win.
In another compelling contest, Canada defeated Australia with a score of 93-83. RJ Barrett was exceptional for Canada, leading the team with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes. He fortified his performance with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, proving essential in his team’s victory. Canada’s coach, Jordi Fernandez, had high praises for Barrett, stating, “He's that guy,” and adding, “Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores.”
Australia struggled with turnovers, especially in the third quarter, committing nine of their total 18 turnovers during this period. Despite these issues, some standout performances were noted. Josh Giddey tallied 15 points by halftime, while Jock Landale contributed significantly with a double-double performance, scoring 16 points and securing 12 rebounds along with four assists. However, the normally reliable Patty Mills had an off night, managing only eight points on 2-for-10 shooting, further hampering Australia’s efforts against a strong Canadian team.
Elsewhere, Spain managed to edge out a resilient Greek team with an 84-77 victory. Santi Aldama was a pivotal figure for Spain, recording 19 points and 12 rebounds. His significant contributions were complemented by Lorenzo Brown, who orchestrated plays with 10 assists and added seven points.
Greece fought valiantly despite a slow start, at one point trailing by as much as 16 points in the first half. The rally led by Giannis Antetokounmpo was nothing short of spectacular. Antetokounmpo posted an impressive stat line with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, alongside 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Spain guard Dario Brizuela acknowledged the impact of the Greek star, describing him as “our best player, and he knows it.” Spain’s late-game defensive strategy also drew commentary from their coach Sergio Scariolo, who remarked, “We thought we’d keep it for the very end of the game.”
These games provided a showcase of individual brilliance and strategic depth, exemplifying the high stakes and intense competition of international basketball. Players like Wembanyama, Barrett, and Antetokounmpo demonstrated why they are considered some of the best in the sport, delivering performances that basketball enthusiasts will be talking about for a long time.