In an exhilarating overtime battle, France edged out Japan with a thrilling 94-90 victory, largely due to a stellar performance from Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama dominated the initial four-and-a-half minutes of overtime, scoring all of his team's points during that period and totaling 18 points over the course of the game.
Matthew Strazel was instrumental in pushing the game into overtime, executing a remarkable four-point play with only 10 seconds left in regulation. On the other side, Japan's Yuki Karamura was an offensive powerhouse, putting up a game-high 29 points. However, their efforts fell short as France emerged victorious in the end.
The game took a dramatic turn when Rui Hachimura was ejected with eight-and-a-half minutes remaining in regulation. Prior to his ejection, Hachimura had made a significant contribution, scoring 24 points on an efficient 10-for-16 shooting in just 28 minutes. His absence was palpably felt by the Japanese squad in the crucial moments of the game.
Canada Overcomes Australia
In another highly anticipated match-up, Canada secured a 93-83 win against Australia, with RJ Barrett leading the charge. Barrett scored 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes of play. His all-around performance also included seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, drawing high praise from Canada's coach Jordi Fernandez, who said of Barrett, “He’s that guy,” adding, “Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores.”
Australia struggled with turnovers, particularly in the third quarter where they committed nine of their total 18 turnovers for the game. Despite an impressive first half performance from Josh Giddey, who had scored 15 points by halftime, and Jock Landale’s 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, it was not enough to counter Canada's cohesive play and defensive pressure.
Spain Triumphs Over Greece
Spain's matchup with Greece ended in an 84-77 victory for the Spaniards. Santi Aldama was a standout performer for Spain, contributing 19 points and 12 rebounds. Lorenzo Brown orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 10 assists and adding seven points to the tally. Coach Sergio Scariolo's late-game defensive strategy was a key factor in maintaining their lead, as he remarked, “We thought we’d keep it for the very end of the game.”
Despite facing a 16-point deficit in the first half, Greece mounted a valiant comeback attempt. Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his immense talent, scoring 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. His efforts were lauded by Spain guard Dario Brizuela, who noted, “He's our best player, and he knows it.” Nevertheless, it was Spain’s ability to execute under pressure and keep their composure that ultimately secured their win.
These games highlight the intense competition and exceptional talent present in international basketball. As teams continue to compete, the performances of players like Wembanyama, Barrett, and Antetokounmpo will undoubtedly captivate and thrill basketball enthusiasts around the world.