Paris 2024 men’s basketball: Breakdown, highlights, stats and top performers for 30 July

Men’s basketball rolled on at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Tuesday, 30 July with another quartet of fascinating games at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.

The proceedings tipped off with a between a previously winless pair of teams as Spain took on Greece. Spain fell to Australia in their previous matchup, while Greece fell just short in a second-half comeback against Canada. Santi Aldama once again paced Spain in scoring, tallying 19 points in his team’s 84-77 win. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another strong performance, pouring in 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Conversely, the second game of the day, Canada vs. Australia, featured two teams who won their opening game of the tournament. The Canadians were propelled to a 93-83 victory by another strong game from Rj Barrett, who led them in scoring while stuffing the stat sheet, finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also added 16 points of his own. Josh Giddey performed well yet again, scoring 19 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists while Jock Landale also added 16 points. Canada was able to force 18 turnovers, including 11 steals in the win.

France escaped with a win against Japan in the most competitive game of Paris 2024 so far. Neither team extended an advantage to double figures at any point as the two teams traded leads and momentum throughout the second half. The biggest play of the game came in the final seconds when Matthew Strazel of France converted a four-point play to force overtime, where the French team pulled away to a 94-90 win. Strazel finished with 17 points and Victor Wembanyama paced the squad with 18 points of his own. Kawamura Yuki and Rui Hachimura combined for 53 points for Japan.

Germany remains undefeated at Paris 2024 with a comfortable 86-73 win over Brazil, led by 20 points and six assists from Dennis Schroder. Isaac Bonga also tacked on 15 points, including shooting 3-4 from deep. Yago Santos, who dropped 18 points on 7-10 shooting from the field, led Brazil in scoring. Vitor Benite added 17 points of his own.

Game of the Day: Japan vs. France

Basketball fans were provided with the first thriller of the Games as Japan pushed France to the limit, eventually falling 94-90 in overtime. Wembanyama had a well-rounded game, scoring 18 points to go with 11 rebounds and six assists. He also scored the go-ahead-and-one layup to begin overtime for France. Yuki was sensational for Japan, pouring in 29 points including knocking down six three-pointers.

Just when Japan appeared to have the upset secured, leading by four in the final moments, Strazel made a three-pointer fading to his left as he was fouled. He swished the shot and finished off the four-point play by knocking down a free throw to force overtime. France carried this momentum into overtime and escaped with the win.

Player of the Day: Kawamura Yuki

Despite the heartbreaking loss to France, Yuki was sensational. His shotmaking, especially from deep, helped bolster the Japanese offense as his nation nearly pulled off the upset. The 23-year-old finished the game with 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists, knocking down six three-pointers. He was also perfect from the free-throw line, going 5-5.

Honorable mention: Rj Barrett

Barrett helped lead Canada past a strong Australian team with another complete performance, 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. He shot an efficient 8-14 from the field, including 3-6 from deep, and went 5-6 from the free-throw line. Barrett is Canada’s leading scorer through two games.

Men’s basketball results for 30 July

Spain beats Greece, 84-77

Canada defeats Australia, 93-83

France beats Japan, 94-90

Germany defeats Brazil, 86-73

Men’s basketball schedule for 31 July

Puerto Rico vs Serbia, 11:15 a.m. EST

United States vs South Sudan, 3:00 p.m. EST