VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — France got a game-tying four-point play by Matthew Strazel at the end of regulation, and Victor Wembanyama scored eight of his 18 points in overtime to lift France over Japan 94-90 at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.
Strazel, whose four-point play tied the score with 10.2 seconds remaining in regulation, scored 17 points to help France remain unbeaten in Group B play.
“The shot of his life,” Wembanyama said of Strazel’s game-tying effort.
Wembanyama scored the first eight points of overtime to give France a 92-84 cushion. Japan battled back and got it within 92-90 but the home team was able to close it out at the free throw line.
“The realization, the dynamic of the game,” Wembanyama said when asked what changed in overtime. “They were playing like underdogs and we were waiting for them to punch a little bit too much. I wanted to make a point and punch first in overtime. And it worked.”
Grabbing at his lower right leg after a quick trip off the court late in the first quarter, then grabbing at his left hip a couple of times later in the game, Wembanyama seemed to be laboring at times in France’s second game of the Paris Olympics.
After the game, Wembanyama said it wasn’t his hip that was bothering him, but “other places.”
Wembanyama wasn’t much of a factor in the last 3½ quarters of regulation, but the start of the game — he had eight points in the first 3:20 — and overtime was all Wemby.
“He’s an extremely talented player, No. 1 draft pick, one of the tallest players in the world, he’s extremely skilled,” said Japan center Josh Hawkinson, who spent a lot of his day guarding Wembanyama. “He’s still 20 years old. Our game plan is to try to be a little bit physical with him. Obviously, as he matures and grows, he’s going to really grow into his body and be able to use his body extremely well.”
Japanese star Rui Hachimura, who had 24 points, was ejected early in the fourth quarter after his second unsportsmanlike foul of the game.
Hachimura’s teammates pressed on anyway, nearly pulling off a stunner.
“We lost Rui but never gave up,” said 5-foot-8 Japan guard Yuri Kawamura, who led all scorers with 29 points. “That’s it.”
Wembanayma also finished with 11 rebounds and six assists.
“I don’t know why he has to prove more,” France forward Bilal Coulibaly said. “He was being himself, a great teammate, a great player. Proud of him.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.