The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris delivered an edge-of-your-seat moment as France secured a dramatic 94-90 overtime win against Japan in the men's basketball group game on Tuesday, marking their second consecutive victory in Group B.
Despite Japan's challenging track record at the Olympics, where they haven't clinched a win before, they posed significant threats to the host nation. Japan unleashed a barrage of 3-pointers, successfully sinking 16 out of 37 attempts from beyond the arc, adding intense pressure on the French squad.
Standout player Yuki Kawamura led Japan with an impressive 29 points, making 9 out of 26 shots. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura contributed 24 points before being ejected in the fourth quarter due to two unsportsmanlike fouls. Japan held a four-point lead in the final moments of regulation after Kawamura's crucial free throws. However, Matthew Strazel's four-point play with just 10.2 seconds left forced the game into overtime, tying the score and shifting the momentum.
\"The shot of his life,\" exclaimed Victor Wembanyama after Strazel's game-tying play. In overtime, Wembanyama took charge, scoring all of France's first eight points and building a 92-84 lead. Although Japan rallied with two consecutive triples, France's Evan Fournier sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Wembanyama, the 20-year-old basketball sensation, showcased his versatility with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Reflecting on the game, Wembanyama commented, \"The realization, the dynamic of the game. They were playing like underdogs and we were waiting for them to punch a little bit too much. I wanted to make a point and punch first in overtime. And it worked.\"
France's head coach Bilal Coulibaly praised Wembanyama's performance, saying, \"I don't know why he has to prove more. He was being himself, a great teammate, a great player. Proud of him.\" With this win, France continues to demonstrate their strength and consistency in the Olympic basketball tournament, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the competition heats up.
