In an exhilarating night of international basketball, France narrowly edged past Japan in a thrilling contest that went into overtime, ultimately securing a 94-90 victory. The hero of the moment was Victor Wembanyama, who showcased his dominance by scoring all of his team's points during the first four-and-a-half minutes of the overtime period. Wembanyama concluded the game with a total of 18 points, demonstrating both skill and resilience.
The game took an unexpected turn in the dying moments of regulation when Matthew Strazel forced the game into overtime with a sensational four-point play. Strazel's clutch performance came with just 10 seconds left in regulation, setting the stage for an electrifying finish. Adding to the drama, Japan's Rui Hachimura was ejected with eight-and-a-half minutes remaining in regulation, leaving his team with a significant void to fill. Prior to his ejection, Hachimura had an impressive showing, scoring 24 points on 10-for-16 shooting in just 28 minutes. Yuki Karamura also stood out for Japan, putting up a game-high 29 points.
Meanwhile, in another fiercely contested match, Canada triumphed over Australia with a decisive 93-83 win. Canada's triumph was spearheaded by RJ Barrett, who delivered a stellar performance, leading his team with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in only 25 minutes of play. Barrett's all-around game was on full display as he also contributed seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Canada's head coach Jordi Fernandez could not contain his admiration for Barrett, expressing, “He's that guy,” and further adding, “Sometimes, I don't call plays for him and he just scores.”
Australia struggled notably in the third quarter, committing nine of their total 18 turnovers, which proved costly in their efforts to mount a comeback. Josh Giddey had a strong start, scoring 15 points by halftime, but it was not enough to change the game's outcome. Jock Landale also provided a substantial contribution for Australia with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. However, Patty Mills had an off night, managing only eight points on 2-for-10 shooting.
In another exciting matchup, Spain overcame Greece with an 84-77 victory. Spain's Santi Aldama was a pivotal player, recording 19 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his ability to make plays on both ends of the court. Lorenzo Brown also contributed significantly, dishing out 10 assists while adding seven points. Spain's game plan, especially on the defensive end, was deliberately held back until the game's crucial moments. As Spain's coach Sergio Scariolo explained, “We thought we’d keep it for the very end of the game.”
The Greek team displayed notable resilience after trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half. Their rally, led by the formidable Giannis Antetokounmpo, was commendable. Antetokounmpo filled the stat sheet with an impressive 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, coupled with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Despite his efforts, Greece couldn’t surmount the early deficit. Spain guard Dario Brizuela acknowledged Giannis' prowess, stating, “He's our best player, and he knows it.”
The night encompassed every element that makes basketball a beloved sport—dramatic comebacks, standout individual performances, and strategic gameplay. Each game highlighted the importance of both star power and team cohesion, with every point contested fiercely from start to finish.