Los Angeles Lakers Rui Hachimura was balling out against France, but the 6-9 Japanese forward wasn’t around for the end. Hachimura was ejected from Japan’s 94-90 overtime loss to France in Tuesday’s 2024 Paris Olympics Game after picking up his second unsportsmanlike foul for pulling down Utah Jazz’s center Rudy Gobert‘s arm as he was going for a layup with 8:31 left in regulation.
Los Angeles Lakers Forward Ejected From Olympic Game
Hachimura finished the game with 24 points on 10 of 16 shooting, including 3 of 5 from deep and three boards. He hit a key 3-pointer just before his exit to bring Japan within 72-70. Gobert could only convert one of his two free throws to make it a three-point game.
Hachimura picked up his first unsportsmanlike foul in the third quarter for knocking Washinton Wizards Bilal Coulibaly to the floor.
While Japan’s loss of its star was probably disappointing, as the country is ranked 26th in the World Rankings, it didn’t quit. Over the subsequent 8:20, the Japanese outscored the more talented French, the No. 9 ranked FIBA squad, 14-7 to take a four-point lead.
But France’s Matthew Strazel knocked a 3-pointer as he was getting fouled by Yuki Kawamura. Strazel converted the free throw to tie the game. With the game tied at 84, France scored the first eight points in the extra stanza while holding Japan scoreless for nearly four-and-a-half minutes.
“The way we started the overtime, getting the ball inside to Wemby, he finally made a bucket inside, and that was huge,” France and Los Angles Clippers forward Nic Batum said. The win is a win, but if you wanna take the positives – we could’ve easily given up down four with 10 seconds. We had no solution, and we got a crazy shot from Matthew… Sometimes, God is on your side.”
Today’s Top Performers
Victor Wembanyama led France with 18 points, including the first eight points of overtime and 11 rebounds. Wembanyama, who tallied 19 points in his Olympics debut, made 6 of 12 shots from the field, including 3 of 5 from the 3-point line and all three foul shots.
Strazel finished with 17 points, while Detroit Pistons guard Evan Fournier added 14 points despite shooting just 5 of 18 from the field and six assists. Former Boston Celtics first-round pick Guershon Yabusele was also in double figures with 13 points.
Kawamura was sensational for Japan, particularly after Hachimura was ejected. The diminutive 5-8 point guard tallied 29 points on 9 of 26 shooting from the field and 6 of 15 from deep. He added seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
Kawamura is slated to sign a training camp deal (Exhibit 10) with the Memphis Grizzlies in September. However, he will continue playing for Japan’s Yokohama B-CORSAIRS until then.
Japan’s only other NBA player, Yuta Watanabe, is dealing with an ankle issue and struggled against France. The 29-year-old Memphis Grizzlies forward scored three points on three shots (1 of 3 from the 3-point line). He also grabbed eight boards and made a steal while committing four turnovers. Watanabe scored 16 points in Japan’s opening game against Germany.
“We can fight with any team,” said Japan’s Josh Hawkins.”This was a true road game experience for us, 27,000 people, on the road, so many French fans, all chanting against us. To be able to fight until the very end against one of the top teams in the world is definitely a step in the right direction for us. No moral victories. We wanted to win.”
Game Notes
France’s bench outscored Japan’s 50-9.
France scored 32 points in the opening quarter, the most in the country’s Olympic history.
Japan and France connected on 31 threes.
Kawamura became the third player in the 21st century to score more than 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in an Olympic game. Kevin Durant and Luol Deng are the others.
Wembanyama became the first player younger than 22 to comb for 15+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a game at the Olympics.
What’s Next?
It is possible that Hachimura played in his last 2024 Olympic game, as the 29-year-old could be suspended from Japan’s next contest due to his actions. And it would be a shame as he has been fantastic. He also recorded a 20-point double-double against Germany in Japan’s opening game.
With the loss, Japan fell to 0-2 with a -24 point differential. Japan plays Brazil (0-1) next, and the only way Japan can advance to the quarterfinals is to beat the Brazilians and hope their point differential is among the top three of the six teams who finish third or fourth in each group.
Meanwhile, France (2-0) is assured of a top-two finish in Group B. In the final group contest, France faces Germany.
