Luka Doncic-Slovenia-Argentina
Photo: FIBA Basketball

All 12 teams have played their first game in the men’s Olympic basketball tournament and the action was nothing short of entertaining.

Group A saw Team USA lose to France 83-76, while Czech Republic held off a late run by Iran to win 84-78.

Notes from Group A:

  • It was Team USA’s first Olympic loss since 2004 when they lost to Argentina.
  • Czech Republic got their first-ever Olympic win.
#TeamPWL%ForAgt+/-FAAAPoints
1France1101008376783762
2Czech Republic1101008478684782
3Iran10107884-678841
4USA10107683-776831

Next games: USA vs. Iran, Czech Republic vs. France

In Group B, Italy closed the game against Germany on a 12-0 run en route to an opening win 92-82, while gold medal contender Australia took down Nigeria 84-67.

#TeamPWL%ForAgt+/-FAAAPoints
1Australia11010084671784672
2Italy11010092821092822
3Germany10108292-1082921
4Nigeria10106784-1767841

Next games: Nigeria vs. Germany, Italy vs. Australia

Group C had fireworks thanks to Luka Doncic, as he scored 48 points to lead Slovenia to a 118-100 win over 2019 FIBA World Cup runner-up Argentina, while FIBA World Cup champion Spain defeated host nation Japan 88-77.

Notes from Group C:

  • It was Slovenia’s first-ever Olympic win.
  • Doncic’s 48 points were the most ever scored by a European player in an Olympic basketball game and also the second most points in an Olympic game behind Brazil’s Oscar Schmidt (55 points).
#TeamPWL%ForAgt+/-FAAAPoints
1Slovenia110100118100181181002
2Spain11010088771188772
3Japan10107788-1177881
4Argentina1010100118-181001181

Next games: Slovenia vs. Japan, Spain vs. Argentina