Vlad Bunoan

Jokic outshines Wembanyama as Serbia beat France

France's #32 Victor Wembanyama (L) and Serbia's #15 Nikola Jokic react during the friendly basketball match between Serbia and France, at the Belgrade Arena, in Belgrade, on August 20, 2026. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787289799311AFP__20260820__C66K8J2__v1__MidRes__BasketSrbFraFriendly.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>France&#x27;s Victor Wembanyama (L) and Serbia&#x27;s Nikola Jokic react during the friendly basketball match between Serbia and France, at the Belgrade Arena, in Belgrade. Andrej Isakovic, AFP</div>BELGRADE — Victor Wembanyama&#x27;s long-awaited return to international action ended in defeat as France fell, 90-87, to Serbia in a friendly on Thursday, with Nikola Jokic leading the hosts with 20 points.Playing his first game for France since the Olympic final loss to the United States two years ago, the San Antonio Spurs star endured a challenging evening in Belgrade as he finished with 10 points against a physical Serbian defense.Three-time NBA MVP Jokic was Serbia&#x27;s driving force, adding nine rebounds and eight assists as the 2024 Olympic bronze medallists gradually took control after a closely contested first half.The teams meet again in Orleans on Sunday as they continue preparations for qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

Victor Wembanyama's long-awaited return to international action ended in defeat as France fell, 90-87, to Serbia in a friendly on Thursday, with Nikola Jokic leading the hosts with 20 points.

Victor Wembanyama's long-awaited return to international action ended in defeat as France fell, 90-87, to Serbia in a friendly on Thursday, with Nikola Jokic leading the hosts with 20 points.