Wemby, France Beat Japan: Group Results Ahead of 2024 Olympic Basketball KO Bracket

France survived an upset bid by Japan to move to 2-0 in the 2024 Summer Olympics men's basketball tournament.

The host nation appeared to be headed for a loss in the final minute until a four-point play from Matthew Strazel leveled the contest and sent it to overtime.

Victor Wembanyama and Co. did not let Japan hang around at the start of overtime, as they began on an 8-0 run. A late comeback in overtime from Japan fell short.

Tuesday's victory kept France on track to finish the group stage as Group B winner. France is currently in second place behind Germany, but a win over Germany on Friday will change the order in Group B.

Canada achieved its second win at the Paris Games in an easier fashion on Tuesday, as it took down Australia by 10 points.

1. Germany (2-0; +33 point differential)

• July 27 vs. Japan (W, 97-77)
• July 30 vs. Brazil (W, 86-73)

2. France (2-0; +16)

• July 27 vs. Brazil (W, 78-66)
• July 30 vs. Japan (W, 94-90 OT)

3. Japan (0-2; -24)

• July 27 vs. Germany (L 77-97)
• July 30 vs. France (L 90-94 OT)

4. Brazil (0-1; -25)

• July 27 vs. France (L, 66-78)
• July 30 vs. Germany (L, 73-86)

France had a far more difficult time with Japan than Germany did. That is currently the difference at the top of the Group B standings.

The host nation skated by with a four-point overtime win that was only made possible by Strazel's four-point play in the final minute of regulation.

France came alive in overtime to avoid the upset bid. Wembanyama scored seven points in the extra period to put distance between the home side and Japan.

Wembanyama finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Strazel, Evan Fournier and Guerschon Yabusele all finished in double figures for France.

Japan's upset bid happened without Rui Hachimura for most of the fourth quarter. He was ejected in the second half.

Before he departed, Hachimura put up 24 points. Yuki Kawamura led Japan with 29 points.

Germany picked up a 13-point win over Brazil behind 20 points and six assists from Dennis Schroder and 17 points out of Franz Wagner.

Friday's clash between France and Germany will determine which team advances out of Group B in first place.

Tuesday Results

Canada 93, Australia 83

Spain 84, Greece 77

Standings

1. Canada (2-0; +17 point differential)

• July 27 vs. Greece (W, 86-79)
• July 30 vs. Australia (W, 93-83)

2. Australia (1-1; +2)

• July 27 vs. Spain (W, 92-80)
• July 30 vs. Canada (L, 83-93)

3. Spain (1-1; -5)

• July 27 vs. Australia (L 80-92)
• July 30 vs. Greece (W, 84-77)

4. Greece (0-2; -14)

• July 27 vs. Canada (L 79-86)
• July 30 vs. Spain (L 77-84)

Canada put itself in a tremendous position to advance out of Group A with its win over Australia.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Aussies, which guarantees they will finish second at worst.

SGA had an average game by his standards with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. RJ Barrett took over the leading scorer role for Canada with 24 points. Barrett, Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Dillon Brooks all produced double-digit point totals.

Canada needs a win over Spain to secure first place in Group A. Spain delivered mixed results so far in Paris, but it did beat Greece on Tuesday.

Spain received 19 points and 12 rebounds from Santi Aldama to cut Greece's hopes of advancing out of the group.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points on Tuesday, but it was not enough to beat Spain, and now the Greeks need a win over Australia and some help to qualify for the knockout round.

The final Group A games take place on Friday.