The Boomers will look to build on a dominant 98-72 win over Finland at the FIBA World Cup when they face a Germany side without rising NBA star Franz Wagner.
Wagner had suffered an ankle injury late in Germany’s 81-63 win over Japan and while team doctor Oliver Putz ruled out a serious issue, it was still enough to rule the 22-year-old out.
ESPN’s Olgun Uluc was first to report the news on Sunday afternoon after providing an update earlier from Putz on Wagner’s potential availability.
“We were able to rule out serious injuries,” Putz told ESPN.
“Nothing is broken, torn, or anything like this; things that would end the FIBA World Cup for him. Franz feels better this morning than yesterday. We did another MRI this morning. But, the problem is that we don’t have the imaging yet, so we can’t say exactly what’s hurt yet.”
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MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Germany scores, updates, game breakdown
Australia will open Sunday’s game with the same starting five of Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Matisse Thybulle, Nick Kay and Duop Reath.
Germany already shaped as Australia’s toughest test in the group stage and will still pose a stern challenge even with Wagner, a 6-foot-10 forward with length and defensive versatility.
Wagner has also quickly increased his offensive production since his rookie year with the Orlando Magic, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season.
Australia’s attention will now turn to shutting down the focal point of Germany’s offence — Dennis Schröder, who will have to take on even more playmaking responsibility now.
Wagner averaged 15.1 points at last year’s EuroBasket, trailing Schröder who has a habit of taking his game to another level when suiting up for Germany.
Schröder was the fifth-leading scorer at EuroBasket 2022, averaging 22.1 points per game and opened his World Cup campaign with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists against Japan.
It will be interesting to see who Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has guarding Schröder early, although it may end up being another team effort overall as was the case against Finland and Lauri Markkanen.
The Boomers did well to hold Markkanen to 19 points, with Goorjian telling reporters on Friday night he was “really pleased” with the way his team handled the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the Boomers and FIBA World Cup
Boomers go AERIAL against Finland | 00:39
“He’s an incredible player and we watched all their games coming in,” Goorjian said.
“He’s 40 and 15, scoring on the break, scoring inside, scoring on his right-hand penetration. I just thought Jack White, Nick Kay; it was kind of [like] the wrestling — you slap the hand and another guy comes in.
“It’s kind of a gang effect and then whenever he got the ball in scoring positions I felt like our double teams and rotations were tremendous. The gameplan they locked into and I thought it was successful.”
Of course, it is not just Schröder with Germany packing plenty of size in the form of veteran big men Daniel Theis, Johannes Thiemann, and Johannes Voitmann.
Franz may not be fit to play but older brother Moritz will also be in action while Australia will need to be careful not to give Andi Obst too much space after he set the pace with 25 made three-pointers at last year’s EuroBasket — the most at the tournament.
AUSTRALIA STARTING FIVE
3 – Josh Giddey
5 – Patty Mills
2 – Matisse Thybulle
15 – Nick Kay
26 – Duop Reath
GERMANY STARTING FIVE
0 – Isaac Bonga
7 – Johannes Voigtmann
10 – Daniel Theis
17 – Dennis Schroder
13 – Andread Obst
HOW TO WATCH EVERY BOOMERS FIBA WORLD CUP GAME
As for the World Cup action itself, the Boomers are part of Group E and will play Finland in their first official game to kick off the tournament.
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That game is scheduled for 6pm AEST on Friday, August 25. Australia is also scheduled to face Germany (6.30pm, August 27) and Japan (9.10pm, August 29) to round out the group stage.
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