The 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament kicked off with reigning world champions Germany securing a convincing 97-77 victory over Japan in Lille. Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic led the German team with 22 points and 6 rebounds, while NBA players Daniel Theis and Dennis Schröder also made significant contributions. Schröder, who served as Germany’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 assists.For Japan, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura stood out with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Despite Hachimura’s efforts, Japan struggled to match Germany’s physicality, particularly in the paint where they were outscored 46-20.In other Olympic basketball news, the Spanish team suffered a loss against Australia, with Spanish player Santi Aldama, who scored 27 points, citing a lack of concentration during the full 40 minutes as the main reason for their defeat.Meanwhile, Team USA is facing challenges as they prepare for their opening game against Serbia. Star players Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis are battling illness, potentially impacting their availability. Coach Steve Kerr remains hopeful that the entire roster will be ready, including Kevin Durant, who has been nursing a calf injury.The men’s basketball tournament continues with high stakes, as teams vie for quarterfinal spots and ultimately, Olympic gold.
Key points
- Germany, the reigning world champions, won their opening Olympic basketball match against Japan 97-77.
- Spanish player Santi Aldama cited lack of concentration as the reason for their loss against Australia.
- Team USA faces potential setbacks with Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis battling illness before their opening game.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported scores for individual players across different sources, likely due to rounding or different statistical interpretations.
