Paris 2024 men's basketball: Breakdown, highlights, stats, top performers in quarter-finals

Men’s basketball tipped off with quarter-finals action on Tuesday, 6 August at Bercy Arena in the city of Paris as eight teams battled for four semi-final berths at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The day began with a comfortable win for Germany over Greece, 76-63. Franz Wagner continued his strong play at the Games, scoring 18 points to go with three rebounds, two assists and two steals. The Germans forced 15 turnovers, including nine steals, and scored 20 points off these turnovers. Greece shot the ball efficiently inside the arc, finishing at 68 per cent, but only shot 27 per cent from three-point land. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece with 22 points on 14 shots.

Early on in game number two between Serbia and Australia, it appeared as if the Boomers would coast into the semi-finals in blowout fashion. Instead, Serbia mounted a massive comeback to win 95-90 in overtime. While both teams shot at a similar clip, the biggest factors in the game were second-chance points and free throws. Serbia scored 23 second-chance points compared to just 11 from Australia. The Serbians also got to the line 18 times while Australia shot just nine free throws as both teams converted at 78-per-cent clip.

Nikola Jokic continued his strong play, stuffing the stat sheet with 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Australia was led by the duo of Patty Mills and Josh Giddey, who combined for 51 points.

After falling to Germany in the final game of group play, France got back on track with a 82-73 win over Canada, opening up a double-digit lead early and holding off a late surge. Neither team shot the ball well from the field but the biggest discrepancy came at the free-throw line. France shot a whopping 42 free throws compared to just 25 for Canada, shooting 79 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively.

Guerschon Yabusele led France with 22 points, followed by 20 from Isaia Cordinier. Victor Wembanyama scored just seven points on 2-10 shooting. Canada was led by 27 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an additional 16 points from RJ Barrett.

The United States closed out the day with a decisive 122-87 victory over Brazil. The Brazilians were competitive until Team USA flipped a switch in the second quarter, ending the first half on a 23-5 run behind outstanding offence and stifling defence. Devin Booker led Team USA with 18 points, including 5-7 from deep. Anthony Edwards added 17 points of his own. Georginho De Paula led Brazil with 15 points.

Game of the Day: Serbia vs. Australia

Far and away the most competitive game of the day, Serbia overcame a 24-point deficit to beat Australia 95-90 in overtime led by the great play of Jokic. The Boomers were up massive early behind a 20-0 run, but Serbia continued to wear them down in the second half, eventually taking the lead with a 10-0 run of their own. Entering the fourth quarter, Serbia led by two. In fact, Australia never led in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by two in the final seconds, Mills hit a fadeaway shot going to his left over Jokic to force overtime. Australia would then take its first lead since the third quarter in the opening minutes of overtime, but were unable to close out the game as Jokic scored a pair of clutch baskets to seal the win.

Player of the Day: Nikola Jokic

Jokic, a three-time NBA most valuable player, was in prime form on Tuesday in Paris. He was surgical inside the arc, converting at 64-per-cent clip to go along with his usual playmaking prowess. This was the second time in the tournament that he barely missed a triple double, finishing with nine assists.

Jokic also dominated the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds. No one else in the game had more than six. He even tacked on a pair of clutch buckets to close out the game in overtime, clinching the win and player of the day.

Basketball quarter-finals results

Germany beats Greece, 76-63

Serbia defeats Australia, 95-90

France beats Canada, 82-73

United States beats Brazil, 122-87

Basketball schedule for 8 August at Paris 2024

The semi-finals of men’s basketball at Paris 2024 continues on 8 August with a pair of games.

France vs Germany

11:30 a.m. EST

United States vs Serbia

3 p.m. EST