Paris 2024 Men's basketball: Game breakdown, highlights, key stats, and top performers from August 2
Men’s basketball continued on the courts of Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Friday, 2 August, featuring four intriguing matchups.
Brazil earned its first win of Paris 2024, beating Japan by a final score of 102-84. The Brazilians shot the ball extremely well from outside, going 17-28 from three-point range. They were led in scoring by Bruno Caboclo, who poured in 33 points on 13-19 shooting from the field. Kawamura Yuki and Josh Hawkinson combined for 47 points for Japan.
Greece also got their first win of the Games, knocking off Australia by a final score of 77-71. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued a strong Paris 2024 run, scoring 20 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. As a team, Greece shot an impressive 22-37 inside the arc. Australia struggled shooting the ball, finishing the day at an underwhelming 40 per cent from the field. Jock Landale led the Australians in scoring with 17 points followed by Patty Mills, who added 13 of his own.
Canada remained undefeated and clinched Group A with an 88-85 win over Spain. Both sides shot the ball efficiently inside the arc, with Canada shooting 60 per cent and Spain converting at a 64 per cent clip. The game came down to the final minutes but the Canadians hit enough big shots to stave off the Spanish surge. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada with 20 points, followed by Andrew Nembhard, who added 18 of his own. Spain was led by 17 points from Dario Brizuela.
Germany closed day seven with a dominant 85-71 win over Victor Wembanyama and France. Wembanyama had another solid game, scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but the real story was the combination of Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner for Germany. The duo combined for 52 points, scoring 26 apiece, including a collective 6-12 from deep.
Brazil's Bruno Caboclo impressed against Team Japan
Game of the Day: Spain vs. Canada
In the most competitive game of day seven at Paris 2024, Spain took Canada down to the wire but fell just short by a final tally of 88-85. The Canadians hit enough big shots down the stretch to hold off a late Spanish push, including a corner three by Rj Barrett in the final minute. Gilgeous-Alexander was in attack mode all game, getting to the free-throw line 13 times and converting nine of them.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Rj Barrett were the stars of the show for Team Canada
Player of the Day: Franz Wagner
In one of the most impressive wins of the tournament thus far, Germany dominated France and a major reason why was the play of Wagner. The forward for the NBA’s Orlando Magic was aggressive from the outset, illustrated by his left-handed dunk in transition where he evaded Victor Wembanyama’s insane wingspan. The 22-year-old finished the game with 26 points on 8-14 shooting.
Honorable mention: Bruno Caboclo
Caboclo was a dominant force in Brazil’s first win of the tournament, scoring 33 points on just 19 shots.
Franz Wagner and Victor Wembanyama go toe to toe in the France-Germany matchup
Basketball results for 2 August
Brazil beats Japan, 102-84
Greece defeats Australia, 77-71
Canada beats Spain, 88-85
Germany beats France, 85-71
Basketball schedule for 3 August at Paris 2024
Men’s basketball at Paris 2024 continues on 3 August with a pair of games.
United States vs Puerto Rico
11:15 a.m. EST
Serbia vs South Sudan
3 p.m. EST