France Survives Japan's 3-Point Storm in Overtime Thriller at Paris Olympics 🏀🔥
France breathed a sigh of relief after edging out Japan 94-90 in a nail-biting men's basketball group game at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Tuesday. Despite being the silver medalists from Tokyo 2021, the French team found themselves in a heated battle against a relentless Japanese squad that refused to back down.
Japan, who hadn't won a single game at previous Olympic Games, came out firing with a barrage of three-pointers, sinking 16 of their 37 attempts from downtown. Yuki Kawamura was on fire, dropping a game-high 29 points while going 9-for-26 from the field. Rui Hachimura added 24 points before being ejected with two unsportsmanlike fouls in the fourth quarter.
With just moments left in the fourth quarter, Japan led by four points thanks to Kawamura's clutch free throws. But France's Matthew Strazel had other plans. In a dramatic turn of events, he was fouled on a three-point attempt and nailed all three free throws, plus the bonus, completing a rare four-point play with just 10.2 seconds remaining to tie the game and force it into overtime.
\"The shot of his life,\" French phenom Victor Wembanyama said of Strazel's heroic play.
Once in overtime, Wembanyama took over. The 20-year-old unicorn dominated, scoring France's first eight points and propelling them to a 92-84 lead. Japan fired back with two quick triples, but Evan Fournier sealed the deal at the free-throw line, ensuring the hosts held on for the win.
\"The realization, the dynamic of the game,\" Wembanyama said about France's shift in overtime. \"They were playing like underdogs, and we were waiting too much. I wanted to make a point, and it worked.\"
Wembanyama finished the game with an impressive 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. His performance earned praise from head coach Bilal Coulibaly, who said, \"I don't know why he has to prove more. He was being himself—a great teammate, a great player. Proud of him.\"
This thrilling victory marks France's second straight win in Group B, but it also serves as a wake-up call. The road to gold won't be easy, and underdogs like Japan are ready to challenge the giants.
Reference(s):
France covered in cold sweat despite men's basketball win over Japan
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