Giddey, Cooks erupt as Boomers thrash Japan in record World Cup win

The Boomers came into the must-win match against Japan at the FIBA World Cup and pulled off a record victory to move into the knockout stages.

Josh Giddey was man of the match. Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

The Boomers’ have qualified for the second stage of the FIBA World Cup after a dominant 109-89 victory over hosts Japan in Okinawa.

In front of a packed crowd cheering their side on, the Boomers have delivered a commanding result to eliminate Japan in their winner-takes-all clash.

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After the shock loss to Germany in their last start, the Boomers were dominant against Japan, leading from beginning to end.

An eight-point lead at quarter-time extended to 22 at halftime and, despite Japan going on a 14-4 run at the end of the third quarter which brought the crowd to life to narrow the gap to 17, Australia romped to their biggest ever score in a World Cup match.

It was also the first time two Aussies had two players score double-doubles in a World Cup or Olympic match according to John Casey in commentary, with Josh Giddey tallying 26 points, five rebounds and 11 assists, while Xavier Cooks had 24 points, 16 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards.

Xavier Cooks came up huge for the Boomers. Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Speaking on ESPN, five-time NBL coach of the Perth Wildcats Trevor Gleeson had nothing but praise for Giddey.

“Josh Giddey has been first-class,” Gleeson said.

“He has been sensational these last two, three minutes.”

Australia through to the next stage of @FIBAWC with a 109-89 win over Japan. Giddey and Cooks with hellacious performances. Giddey 26 and 11ass - Cooks 24 and 16reb. Next up Slovenia and probably Georgia. ♥️🇦🇺🏀

— Andrew Gaze (@AndrewGaze10) August 29, 2023

Look, I was optimistic about the leap we’d see Giddey take with Australia, but this is absolutely absurd https://t.co/geXJK4VwuR

— Bobby Howard (@BobbyHowardOK) August 29, 2023

Good win boomers. Giddey you gun 👌

— clarke3110 (@clarke3110) August 29, 2023

Patty Mills, who Australia had leaned heavily on offensively in the tournament so far, scored just 11 points with nine assists as other stars took over.

Josh Green, who started for the first time this tournament in the place of Matisse Thybulle, scored 15, while Nick Kay had 13.

Japan’s Joshua Hawkinson starred for Japan, scoring 33 points while Yuta Watanabe had 24.

Josh Giddey just gets better. Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

The win sets up a mouth-watering clash against Slovenia and NBA superstar Luka Doncic.

It comes two years after the Boomers beat Slovenia in the bronze medal match, which helped Australia score its first men’s medal at a major tournament.

Having lost a game against Germany and with the top two ranked teams going through, the Boomers will basically need to go undefeated to book a place in the quarterfinals.

“This is the World Cup – nothing is going to be handed to us on a silver plate,” Mills said.

“Everyone’s going to give us their best shot, we understand this is going to be hard. That pressure, we welcome it.”

The victory also puts pressure on New Zealand as the Tall Blacks and Boomers are battling it out of the automatic qualifying spot out of Oceania.

The highest ranked team from Oceania will win the spot and if New Zealand lost to Greece tomorrow, Australia will have booked their place to Paris.