The Portland Trail Blazers are still not playing any meaningful basketball for two more months, but there will be an opportunity to scratch the itch with the FIBA World Cup, which begins Friday.
Matisse Thybulle is representing the Blazers and Australia at this year’s World Cup.
The Aussies are playing in Group F, where they will play Finland (Aug. 25, 1 a.m.), Germany (Aug. 27, 1:30 a.m.), and Japan (Aug. 29, 4 a.m.). Australia is expected to be one of the favorites to qualify for the next round out of the group stage.