Wembanyama and Jokic battle as France loses to Serbia

The French National team drops its second-straight exhibition game.

San Antonio Spurs star, Victor Wembanyama, was back in action for the French National Team after missing their last exhibition game against Germany. Despite the return of their best offensive weapon, the French got a similar result in their second-straight loss in exhibition play. Nikola Jokic and Serbia proved to be too much in a 79-67 French loss.

Wembanyama led France in scoring, putting up 14 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. He logged 2 blocks, 3 assists and 4 turnovers. Jokic and the rest of the Serbian team denied Wemby the ball and defended him physically all over the court. Wembanyama was able to shake loose for 7 straight points to start the game but had trouble getting the ball as the game went on.

France’s guards struggled to organize the offense with Serbia’s pressure defense. They turned the ball over 17 times, oftentimes getting it taken away from them close to half-court. The French offense sputtered as they shot just 34% from the field and 27.6% from deep.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s offense was clicking on all cylinders. Jokic dominated in a 20-point, 12-rebound performance. He was backed up by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who provided some supplementary shot-making on his way to 15 points. Serbia shot 50.9% from the field. They got their shooters good looks all game, but only hit 33.3% of their threes.

The Jokic vs. Wembanyama matchup was the story of the day, and they both had their moments besting one another. Jokic bullied Wembanyama on the block, lowering his shoulder and getting under the basket as he pleased. Wemby got one block on Jokic as he got a hand on his shot from behind. Wembanyama did most of his damage from the perimeter and at the free-throw line. He hit a pair of tough off-the-dribble threes.

Rudy Gobert struggled with foul trouble in the loss. He played just 12 minutes while posting 3 points, 3 rebounds and 4 fouls. Without Gobert in the game, the two-man action that France thrived on with him and Wembanyama went out the door. They struggled to get their best players the basketball and the offense suffered. Guerschon Yabusele stepped up with 12 points off the bench including a pair of threes.

France will get a chance to bounce back against a Canadian team loaded with NBA talent on July 16th.