Wembanyama leads France past Japan in OT at Olympics, Canada also set up to advance. Greece winless | TribLIVE.com
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Wembanyama leads France past Japan in OT at Olympics, Canada also set up to advance. Greece winless

Associated Press
| Tuesday, July 30, 2024 3:22 p.m.
AP
Giannis Antetokounmpo Greece dunks as Juancho Hernangome and Usman Garuba of Spain defend during their game Tuesday at the Olympics.

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — In any any language, expletives are sometimes present on the basketball court.

After scoring his sixth consecutive point in overtime of France’s dramatic 94-90 win over Japan at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, French star Victor Wembanyama couldn’t help letting one go.

“Let’s (expletive) go!” he shouted as he turned to run back up the court.

“It’s basketball players’ things,” Wembanyama said. “I think in Mongolia, Australia or North Pole, they say ‘Let’s go,’ too.”

France got a tying four-point play by Matthew Strazel at the end of regulation, and Wembanyama scored eight of his 18 points in overtime. Strazel finished with 17 points to help France remain unbeaten in Group B play.

Wembanyama’s eighth point in OT gave France a 92-84 cushion. Japan fought back and got within 92-90, but the home team was able to close it out at the free-throw line.

“I don’t think we’ve experienced such a team,” Wembanyama said. “We have to give props, respect to this. They really know how to use their strength. We can learn from them.”

Rui Hachimura had 24 points for Japan before being ejected for his second unsportsmanlike foul early in the fourth quarter. Japan fell to 0-2 and is danger of being eliminated with one group-stage game remaining.

Canada 93, Australia 83

RJ Barrett had 24 points and seven rebounds, and Canada stayed unbeaten in group play.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 16 points as Canada improved to 2-0 and remained on track to advance when the tournament field is trimmed from 12 to eight teams and shifts to Paris next week for the knockout stage.

Josh Giddey led Australia with 19 points. Dante Exum finished with 15.

Canada plays Spain in its final group-stage matchup. Australia faces Greece next.

Spain 84, Greece 77

Santi Aldama had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Spain defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece to earn its first victory of the Paris Olympics and remain in contention to advance to the knockout round.

Sergio Llull finished with 13 points. Spain improved to 1-1 in Group A with one group-stage game left to play against Canada.

After losing their opening games on Saturday, Greece and Spain came out essentially playing for their tournament lives, with the loser facing a must-win scenario Friday — and likely lots of help — to have any chance of advancing.

That team is now Greece, which will meet Australia in its final chance to earn a victory before four teams’ medal hopes end.


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