The Washington Wizards guard added 4 rebounds and 3 assists in the loss. Nikola Jokic was dominant for Serbia.
The France men’s national basketball team lost to Serbia, 79-67 on Friday in Lyon. It was a friendly between the two countries before the 2024 Olympics which begin in two weeks.
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly played 21 minutes, scoring just 3 points, but also grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing 3 assists. San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama led Les Bleus with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Serbians were led by Denver Nuggets center and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Serbs held Les Bleus to just 34 percent shooting while shooting 51 percent from the field themselves.
Thankfully for France, they won’t be playing Serbia in the Olympic Group stage. Serbia will be in Group C of the tournament with Puerto Rico, South Sudan and the United States. But it is also a reality check on the French that though they are one of the best teams in the world, they could also struggle against teams with NBA veteran superstar talent, like Serbia.
Les Bleus have two more friendlies left. First will be Canada next Friday, July 19 at the Co’Met Arena in Orleans. So you know, it’s not New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s Orleans, France. Tip off is at 3 p.m. ET.