France blows 19-point lead but beats Jokic, Serbia at the buzzer
Victor Wembanyama led a fourth-quarter comeback as France squandered a big lead against Nikola Jokic's Serbia before snatching the win in the final seconds.
France looked in complete control before nearly letting it slip away entirely. Up by 19 points, the team watched Serbia claw back into contention behind Nikola Jokic, turning what seemed like a comfortable win into a nail-biter.
Victor Wembanyama was the difference when it mattered most, according to Eurohoops, sparking the fourth-quarter push that allowed France to reclaim the lead right at the buzzer and escape with the victory.
The game turned into a showcase for two of basketball's biggest emerging stars, with Jokic keeping Serbia within striking distance even as France's cushion evaporated. In the end, Wembanyama's late contributions proved decisive, giving France a finish that matched the drama of the collapse that preceded it.