As the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 moves into the Second Round, a total of sixteen teams are vying for glory. With a record number of NBA players participating in this World Cup, it’s no surprise that some of the matchups feature NBA teammates going head-to-head, each aiming for bragging rights on the global stage.
During the First Round, we witnessed thrilling contests between players who usually share NBA locker rooms but found themselves competing on the world stage. Here are four exciting second-round encounters that will see NBA teammates pitted against each other.
1. Luka Doncic vs. Dante Exum and Josh Green
Slovenia and Australia fans are eagerly anticipating this Group K showdown, and so are supporters of the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic, the leader of both Slovenia and the Mavericks, will face two of his future Mavs teammates on the Australian national team.
Josh Green has been a part of the Mavs for the past three seasons, while Dante Exum is set to return to the NBA in 2023 after a stint with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia last year.
2. Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner vs. Goga Bitadze
Fans of the Orlando Magic have a special treat in store during the Group K games. On the first day of the Second Round, brothers Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner from Germany will square off against their future Magic teammate, Goga Bitadze, representing World Cup debutants Georgia.
While the Wagner brothers have been playing together in Orlando for two seasons, the upcoming 2023-24 campaign will see them team up with the Georgian big man, who spent the last four years with the Indiana Pacers.
3. Joe Ingles vs. Goga Bitadze
On the final day of Second Round action, another Orlando Magic matchup awaits as Goga Bitadze and Georgia face off against Australia, led by Joe Ingles.
Similar to Bitadze, Ingles will also join the Orlando Magic in 2023 after playing for the Milwaukee Bucks last season, following an eight-year stint with the Utah Jazz.
4. Brandon Ingram vs. Jonas Valanciunas
The fourth showdown between NBA teammates will take place in Group J in Manila, as Brandon Ingram and the United States go up against Lithuania, featuring New Orleans Pelicans teammate Jonas Valanciunas.
Ingram and Valanciunas have been teammates for two seasons, with Valanciunas entering his third season with the Pelicans and Ingram about to embark on his fifth campaign in New Orleans.
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