Victor Wembanyama had a dominant start to the game, scoring eight points in the first three minutes. However, he went quiet for much of the game, appearing to be hampered by injuries to his lower right leg and left hip. He was visibly laboring at times, and his performance dipped significantly during the middle quarters.
Despite his struggles, Wembanyama came alive in overtime, scoring eight points in the first four minutes and securing a crucial three-point play that put France ahead for good. The game was tied at 84 going into overtime, and Wembanyama’s performance was the difference in the final outcome.
France’s victory wasn’t entirely reliant on Wembanyama’s heroics. Matthew Strazel’s four-point play with 10.2 seconds left in regulation tied the game and kept France in contention. On the Japanese side, star player Rui Hachimura was ejected early in the fourth quarter after picking up his second unsportsmanlike foul. He had a strong game with 24 points before his ejection.
The game was a nail-biter, and it wasn’t until overtime that France finally pulled away. Wembanyama’s clutch performance ensured the host nation escaped with a hard-fought win, even as he battled through injuries and a quiet middle stretch.
