France emerged victorious in a thrilling overtime battle against Japan, clinching a 94-90 win. The game, which was intense from start to finish, saw France's Victor Wembanyama shine bright, scoring all of his team's points in the initial four-and-a-half minutes of the overtime period. Wembanyama tallied a total of 18 points for the night, playing a crucial role in his team's hard-fought victory.
Key Moments and Individual Performances
The drama began near the end of regulation when Matthew Strazel forced the game into overtime with a spectacular four-point play with only 10 seconds remaining. On the Japanese side, Yuki Karamura was a standout performer, scoring an impressive 29 points. Another significant contributor was Rui Hachimura, who managed 24 points on an efficient 10-for-16 shooting in just 28 minutes before his ejection with eight-and-a-half minutes left in regulation.
Canada Outplays Australia
In another compelling matchup, Canada overcame Australia with a 93-83 scoreline, propelled by a stellar performance from RJ Barrett. Barrett led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the field in 25 minutes. He also contributed significantly on the defensive end with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Canada’s coach, Jordi Fernandez, was effusive in his praise for Barrett, saying, "He's that guy. Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores.”
Australia struggled with turnovers, committing nine out of their total 18 in the decisive third quarter. Despite these challenges, Josh Giddey managed to put up 15 points by halftime. Jock Landale delivered a commendable performance with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, but it was not enough to change the outcome. Patty Mills, typically a reliable scorer, had an off-night, finishing with just eight points on 2-for-10 shooting.
Spain's Triumph Over Greece
Spain secured a victory over Greece, winning 84-77 in a game that saw both teams in fierce contention. Santi Aldama was instrumental for Spain, adding 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while Lorenzo Brown dished out 10 assists along with seven points. Spain’s coach, Sergio Scariolo, talked about their strategy, saying, “We thought we’d keep it for the very end of the game,” referring to their late-game defensive adjustments.
Greece, despite trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, mounted a substantial rally in the latter stages of the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo was at the forefront of Greece’s efforts, scoring 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting. He also contributed 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Spain's guard, Dario Brizuela, acknowledged Giannis’s prowess, commenting, “He's our best player, and he knows it.”
These matchups encapsulated the intensity and excitement of international basketball, showcasing individual brilliance and team tenacity. As the tournament progresses, the anticipation for more such thrilling encounters continues to build.