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France Basketball Star's Viral Message After Olympic Game Against Brazil

Nicolas Batum and Victor Wembanyama led France to a win over Brazil

Joey Linn

Oct 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) with Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) with Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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France opened their Paris Olympics basketball run on Saturday with a win over Brazil. The home team, France had an electric atmosphere that really got behind them in this game. Led by San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and LA Clippers veteran Nicolas Batum, France has a talented group that could certainly challenge any team in this tournament.

Batum and Wembanyama each finished with 19 points in the win over Brazil, which was the game-high. Following the win, Batum sent out a message on X (formerly known as Twitter), thanking the crowd for the electric atmosphere they provided for this Olympic opener:

Batum's final line was 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals on 6/12 from the field. Wembanyama finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. This was Wembanyama's Olympic debut, and he looked more than ready for this big moment.

Batum signed with the Clippers in free agency this summer after being traded by them to the Philadelphia 76ers last season in the James Harden deal. Never wanting to leave the Clippers, Batum now gets an opportunity to finish his career in Los Angeles like he initially planned to before the Harden trade.

Still a high-level role player at age 35, Batum should help the Clippers a lot off their bench next season.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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