The international basketball scene was set ablaze with thrilling performances and unexpected turns in recent games. In an overtime thriller, France narrowly defeated Japan, while Canada triumphed over Australia and Spain held off Greece in a closely contested battle.
France Edges Out Japan in Overtime
In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, France emerged victorious against Japan with a 94-90 scoreline after overtime. The spotlight was on Victor Wembanyama, who single-handedly carried his team during the initial four-and-a-half minutes of the overtime period, scoring all of his team's points. Wembanyama finished the game with a total of 18 points.
The game was propelled into overtime by a dramatic four-point play from Matthew Strazel, who managed the feat with just 10 seconds left in regulation. On the Japanese side, Yuki Karamura made a significant impact by scoring 29 points, while Rui Hachimura added 24 points on an impressive 10-for-16 shooting performance. However, Hachimura's ejection with eight-and-a-half minutes remaining in regulation proved to be a turning point for Japan.
Canada Overcomes Australia’s Challenges
Canada put on a stellar performance to secure a 93-83 victory over Australia. Leading the charge was RJ Barrett, who showcased his brilliance by scoring 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in just 25 minutes of play. Barrett also contributed significantly on the defensive end, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out five assists, and obtaining two steals. Coach Jordi Fernandez couldn't hide his admiration for Barrett, stating, “He’s that guy,” and adding, “Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores.”
Australia struggled to maintain possession, especially in the third quarter when they committed nine of their total 18 turnovers. Despite an early strong showing with Josh Giddey scoring 15 points by halftime and Jock Landale contributing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, Australia's efforts fell short. Veteran Patty Mills had a tough night, scoring only eight points on 2-for-10 shooting, which didn't help Australia's cause.
Spain Holds Off Greek Comeback
In another gripping encounter, Spain defeated Greece 84-77. Santi Aldama stood out for Spain, scoring 19 points and hauling in 12 rebounds. Floor general Lorenzo Brown orchestrated the offense effectively, tallying 10 assists to go along with his seven points. Greece found themselves trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half but managed to stage a comeback, pushing Spain to their limits.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was phenomenal for Greece, posting 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Despite Greece's spirited fightback, they couldn't overcome Spain's late-game defensive strategy. Spain’s coach Sergio Scariolo revealed the tactical plan, noting, “We thought we’d keep it for the very end of the game.” Spain guard Dario Brizuela acknowledged Antetokounmpo’s prowess, remarking, “He’s our best player, and he knows it.”
These games highlighted not just individual brilliance but also the strategic intricacies and emotional ebbs and flows that make basketball such a compelling sport. As teams gear up for more high-stakes matchups, fans can only expect more electrifying moments on the court.