Franz Wagner dunks the ball during the game against France on August 2, 2024 at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Paris, France.
• Download the NBA App
• USA Basketball: Schedule, results & roster
• Paris Olympics coverage
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner each scored 26 points and Germany beat France 85-71 in men’s Olympic basketball on Friday in a matchup of two of the top contenders for the gold medal when the tournament shifts to Paris for the quarterfinals.
Daniel Theis added seven points and eight rebounds to help Germany finish unbeaten atop Group B.
It was France’s first loss of the group stage.
Dennis Schroder & Franz Wagner combine for 52 PTS moving Germany to 3-0 in Group B play! 🇩🇪
Schroder: 26 PTS, 9 AST, 4 REB, 4 3PM
Wagner: 26 PTS (8-15 FGM), 5 REB, 8-8 FTM#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/FzS1vAis3s— NBA (@NBA) August 2, 2024
Victor Wembanyama had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the host country, which trailed by 21 at halftime and struggled to deal with Wagner on the inside, and Schroder’s outside shooting and ability to get into the interior of France’s defense.
Germany outscored France 24-9 in the second quarter. France had eight turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
With Wembanyama sitting to start the fourth, France finally found some traction, cutting the deficit to 12. By the time Wembanyama re-entered the game with 4:30 to play, Germany’s lead had ballooned back up to 19.
