Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic face off as Serbia defeats France 79-67 in an intense exhibition game. © Twitter (@SerbianMamba_)
The legendary Victor Wembanyama led France’s national basketball team to an exciting exhibition match against Serbia, which included the formidable Nikola Jokic. Despite a spirited performance by Wembanyama, France endured their second consecutive exhibition loss, succumbing to Serbia 79-67.
Victor Wembanyama’s return to the lineup after missing the previous game against Germany was highly anticipated. The San Antonio Spurs star did not disappoint, leading France with 14 points, ten rebounds, two blocks, three assists, and four turnovers. However, Serbia’s defense, anchored by Jokic, proved too much for the French team.
Nikola Jokic showcased his MVP-caliber skills with a stellar 20-point, 12-rebound performance, guiding Serbia to victory. Bogdan Bogdanovic provided crucial support, scoring 15 points and adding four rebounds. France’s guards struggled to organize their offense against Serbia’s relentless pressure defense, leading to 17 turnovers, many near half-court. This defensive intensity from Serbia disrupted France’s rhythm, resulting in a poor shooting performance of just 34% from the field and 27.6% from three-point range.
The game began with Wembanyama making an immediate impact, scoring seven straight points. However, Serbia quickly adjusted, with Jokic leading a physical defense that limited Wembanyama’s touches. France’s offense sputtered, resulting in a 21-14 lead for Serbia at the end of the first quarter.
Serbia continued their dominance in the second quarter. Bogdan Bogdanovic provided crucial support for Jokic, scoring from all areas of the court. France’s guards struggled to organize their offense against Serbia’s relentless pressure, leading to multiple turnovers. At halftime, Serbia held a commanding 41-28 lead.
France attempted a comeback in the third quarter. Wembanyama hit a pair of tough off-the-dribble threes, igniting the French offense. However, Rudy Gobert’s foul trouble limited his impact, and France’s offense remained disjointed without their two-person game. Serbia maintained their lead, ending the quarter up 60-48.
In the final quarter, France’s Guerschon Yabusele scored 12 points off the bench, including two critical three-pointers. Despite their efforts, France couldn’t overcome the deficit. Jokic continued to dominate, and Serbia secured a 79-67 victory.
The matchup between Wembanyama and Jokic was the centerpiece of the game. Jokic’s physicality and experience proved challenging for the young French star, who showcased his versatility with perimeter shooting and solid defense. However, France’s offensive struggles and turnover issues were too significant to overcome.
Rudy Gobert’s foul trouble further hampered France’s efforts. Playing only 12 minutes, Gobert felt absent on both ends of the court. Without their defensive anchor and effective pick-and-roll partner for Wembanyama, France’s offense lacked cohesion. France will be able to regroup and address their issues as they face a talented Canadian team on July 16th. With a roster loaded with NBA talent, the matchup promises to be another test for the French squad. Coach Vincent Collet must find ways to improve ball security and offensive efficiency to bounce back from these exhibition losses.