Is Victor Wembanyama playing today against Canada? Latest on San Antonio Spurs center's availability (July 19)

Victor Wembanyama will suit up for Les Bleus on Friday against Canada. The matchup will take place at the Co’Met Arena in Orleans, France as both teams ramp up their 2024 Olympic preparations. NBA veterans Nic Batum, Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier will lead the fan-favorite team versus the visiting Canadians.

Canada last saw action nine days ago when it lost to the vaunted Team USA in an exhibition game in Las Vegas. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had a rough-shooting night against the Americans, will be at the forefront of coach Jordi Fernandez’s attack. Fernandez can also lean on RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Jamal Murray and other NBA talents on the roster.

Victor Wembanyama, though, will be the main attraction in the said matchup. As France is the host, he will be the top drawer on Friday.

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Victor Wembanyama and France have to improve on offense

Les Bleus is 2-1 in their three tuneup games with Victor Wembanyama in the lineup. Their only loss came at the hands of Nikola Jokic and Serbia a week ago. “Wemby” had a solid game but his partnership with Rudy Gobert wasn’t enough to drag the hosts to the victory.

It isn’t just on the defensive end that France needs to improve. The offense built around the San Antonio Spurs star also has to step up. Coach Vincent Collet acknowledged that they have a ton of work to do on that end of the ball. In an interview before their match against Canada, he said that his team lacks “fluidity, continuity, movement.” Fans of the hosts will be eager to see if they have made progress on that end.

Wembanyama averaged 24.5 points in wins against Turkey and Germany. Serbia limited him to 14 points as the French failed to keep up with their highly-touted opponents.

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Canada mauled France without Wembanyama in last year’s FIBA World Cup game

Victor Wembanyama wasn’t with the French national basketball team that competed in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. France opened the competition with a nightmarish showing against Canada. Without the towering center, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ran rings around the French defense. “SGA” finished with 27 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in his team’s 95-65 mauling of Les Bleus.

The loss set the tone as France was quickly eliminated from the tournament. As hosts, they didn’t need to qualify for the Olympics but that defeat surely has to be in their minds leading into next month’s event.

Victor Wembanyama is ready and raring to give the Canadians a taste of what will come once the tournament starts.