2023 FIBA World Cup

World Cup Standouts Day 12: Wagner Bros. dominate

Take a look at the players who stood out the most during FIBA World Cup play on Sept. 6.

From NBA.com News Services

Mo (left) and Franz Wagner powered Germany to a narrow quarterfinals win vs. Latvia on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s FIBA World Cup games were the final batch of quarterfinal games as Slovenia, Canada, Germany and Latvia all eyed semifinal berths. When the games were finished, Germany and Canada claimed those spots on Day 12 of the FIBA World Cup, while the losing teams (Latvia and Slovenia, respectively) are out of medal contention.

Here’s a look at who stood out during the quarterfinal action of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

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Franz Wagner & Mo Wagner, Germany

Orlando Magic fans had to be feeling good after the performance the Wagner Brothers delivered in an 81-79 win against Latvia. Franz Wagner was back in the lineup after missing the last four World Cup games due to injury, but he hardly showed any rust. He finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists, fueling the win with his drives to the basket early on. Mo Wagner was the energetic force he usually is in the NBA, finishing with 12 points and four rebounds. Germany will face a stiff challenge next as it takes on Team USA in the semifinals on Friday.

Davis Bertans, Latvia

Bertans did all he could to keep Latvia in the game against Germany and had a chance to play the hero, too. The big man finished with 20 points on 6-for-14 shooting overall and went 6-for-13 on 3-pointers, too. His final miss was a big one, though, as he had a clear look at a game-winning 3-pointer from the right wing that hit back iron at the buzzer. Overall, this has been a solid World Cup run for Bertans (who was dealt to Oklahoma City in the offseason) as he scored in double figures in all but one game and is averaging 13.7 ppg. Latvia will next take on Italy in a Classification 5-8 game on Thursday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada

Things got chippy in the Canada vs. Slovenia quarterfinal matchup as both Dillon Brooks (Canada) and Luka Doncic (Slovenia) were ejected in the second half. Yet none of that bluster and bravado seemed to rattle Gilgeous-Alexander in Canada’s 100-89 win. He dazzled in the second half — particularly in a crucial third quarter — and finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Canada will square off against Serbia on Friday with a berth in the World Cup final on the line.

RJ Barrett, Canada

Barrett has found his scoring touch of late in FIBA play, having scored 16 or more in two of his last three games entering the quarterfinals. He was in peak form in the 100-89 win against Slovenia, finishing with 24 points on 9-for-22 shooting and came up big in the third quarter with 13 points and had a memorable dunk in the fourth quarter, too. Barrett also showed some savvy in other areas of the game, finishing with nine rebounds and a steal and was a solid defender against Luka Doncic throughout the game.

Luka Doncic, Slovenia

Doncic entered the Slovenia vs. Canada quarterfinal showdown as the top scorer in FIBA play (26.4 points per game) and didn’t slow down a bit. He had 17 points by halftime and finished with 26 points as Slovenia lost to Canada 100-89 in a nail-biting game. Doncic may have finished with an even bigger night, but was ejected in the fourth quarter for taunting the referee. His field goal percentage vs. Canada wasn’t sterling (40%), but he made an impact with free throws (6-for-7) to keep Slovenia in the game at times.

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