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Australia defeats Spain in Olympic basketball opener led by Giddey
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    Australia defeats Spain in Olympic basketball opener led by Giddey

    Australia’s men’s basketball team is keeping its momentum going after a strong run in Olympic friendlies leading up to the Paris Olympics.

    The Boomers took down Spain 92-80 in the first showdown at Paris 2024 on Saturday behind a near-triple-double performance from Josh Giddey.

    Giddey picked up 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while big man Jock Landale scored a team-high 20 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists.

    Spain, which is trying to rebound following a sixth-place finish in Tokyo, wasn’t able to challenge the depth it’s so known for, with only three players finishing with double-digit point tallies.

    Forward Santi Aldama scored a game-high 27 points while Sergio Llull and Willy Hernangomez picked up 17 and 14 respectively, but overall, the team shot an inefficient 39.1 per cent from the field.

    NEXT UP

    Australia takes on Canada at 7:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

    Spain takes on Greece at 5:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

    GERMANY 97, JAPAN 77

    Fresh off a FIBA World Cup win last summer, Germany continued looking like a powerhouse in its first game at the Olympics.

    Germany took down Japan 97-77 in a Group B matchup on Saturday as reigning World Cup MVP Dennis Schröder picked up an impressive double-double.

    The former Toronto Raptors guard paired his 13 points with a game-high 12 assists while running mate on the wing Franz Wagner scored 22 and had six rebounds.

    Overall, the Germans spread out their scoring well with five players picking up double-digit tallies and were efficient down low, scoring 64.3 per cent of their looks from inside the arc.

    Japan, meanwhile, was led by its two NBA players as Rui Hachimura picked up 20 points and 10 rebounds while ex-Raptor Yuta Watanabe had 16 points and shot 4-for-9 from 3-point range.

    However, Japan struggled to move the ball well, picking up only 16 assists as opposed to the Germans’ 24.

    NEXT UP

    Japan takes on host nation France at 11:15 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

    Germany takes on Brazil at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

    FAST BREAKS

    – Team USA’s all-star team won’t be complete until Kevin Durant officially suits up, but the team is hopeful that he’ll be available for its opening game against Serbia on Sunday.

    “I’m confident we’ll have everybody ready tomorrow,” head coach Steve Kerr said on Saturday, per ESPN. “We’ll see how things go in practice today. So far, so good. He came through the scrimmage two days ago pretty well.”

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    In a thrilling start to their Olympic campaign, the Australian men’s basketball team pulled off a stunning upset by defeating powerhouse Spain in their opening game. Led by rising star Josh Giddey, the Boomers showcased their talent and determination on the court to secure a hard-fought victory.

    Coming into the game as underdogs against the highly-ranked Spanish team, Australia knew they had their work cut out for them. However, they were not fazed by the challenge and came out strong from the opening tip-off. Giddey, who recently made waves in the NBA draft as the sixth overall pick, showed why he is considered one of the most promising young talents in the sport.

    The 19-year-old guard displayed his all-around skills, contributing on both ends of the floor with his scoring, passing, and defensive prowess. Giddey’s leadership and composure under pressure were instrumental in guiding his team to victory, as he made crucial plays down the stretch to seal the win.

    But it wasn’t just Giddey who shone in the game. The entire Australian squad put on a stellar performance, with players like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Aron Baynes stepping up when it mattered most. Their collective effort and teamwork were key in overcoming Spain’s formidable lineup and securing a statement win in their Olympic opener.

    The victory against Spain sends a strong message to the rest of the competition that Australia is a force to be reckoned with in men’s basketball. With their depth of talent, experience, and chemistry on the court, the Boomers have set themselves up as serious contenders for a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

    As they look ahead to their upcoming games in the tournament, Australia will undoubtedly draw confidence from their impressive start and use it as motivation to continue their winning ways. With Giddey leading the charge, the Boomers have shown that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world and make a deep run in the Olympic basketball competition.