Olympics hosts France beat Japan 94-90 in men's basketball

San Antonio Spurs' French star Victor Wembanyama leads his nation to overtime victory, tallying 18 points, 11 rebounds

By Can Erozden

Paris 2024 hosts France beat Japan 94-90 in a Tuesday men's basketball group match.

San Antonio Spurs' French star Victor Wembanyama led his nation to an overtime victory against Japan as the 20-year-old forward-center tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds in a Group B game at Lille's Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

France point guard Matthew Strazel had 17 points, and Evan Fournier, who is also a longtime NBA player, added 14 points for France.

Yuki Kawamura, a Japan point guard, was the game's top scorer with 29 points. Los Angeles Lakers' Japanese star Rui Hachimura racked up 24 points for the Asian team.

Strazel hit a free throw to tie the game 84-84 with 10 seconds to go, which meant the overtime named the winner.

In the overtime, France scored 10 points to secure the win. France also beat Brazil 78-66 on July 27.

France will next play against Germany on Friday at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

Japan lost to Germany 97-77 last weekend, and will meet Brazil on Friday.

Kaynak: