WATCH: Players have to be separated as Dennis Schroder and Evan Fournier scuffle in Germany vs France game
NBA veterans Dennis Schroder and Evan Fournier nearly came to blows during the Team Germany vs. Team France international friendly ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the Greece vs. Slovenia Olympic qualifiers taking place, countries like France and Germany, who have already qualified, are participating in friendly games to prepare.
The game between France and Germany on Saturday, which was the second of five games France will play before the Olympics, saw tempers flare. France was able to take a commanding lead early in the game, with an 18-point at one point in the second quarter prior to halftime.
With the reigning FIBA World Cup champions in possession of the ball, Dennis Schroder drove to the hoop. NBA vet Evan Fournier then stepped over to foul Schroder, who appeared to be on the verge of beating his defender to the hoop.
The foul sent Schroder to the floor, with the veteran guard getting in Evan Fournier's face moments after. As officials looked to separate them, Fournier could then be seen shoving Schroder, resulting in the two teams needing to be separated.
Check out the clip below:
Once things settled down, the two players were able to talk things out and hugged it out. However, despite that, referees wound up ejecting Fournier for his role in escalating the situation.
Looking at the second half of the Team France vs. Team Germany game following the Dennis Schroder Evan Fournier altercation
At the time of the Dennis Schroder-Evan Fournier altercation, Fournier and Team France were up by 18 points. In the second half, the team's domination continued thanks in part to NBA star Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama finished the game with 25 points, five rebounds, and a steal in just 19 minutes played. While his stats were impressive enough, Wembanyama was remarkably efficient from the floor, going 10-16 on the day, while also shooting 5-7 from downtown.
In the case of Team Germany, Dennis Schroder finished the game with 23 points and six assists in 28 minutes on 7-16 from the floor.
The two teams will both be competing in Group B at the Olympics, with action tipping off on Jul. 27. The two teams will be joined in Group B by Japan, and the winner of the Latvian leg of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
While they will both compete on Jul. 27, they won't have a chance to play against one another until Aug. 2, in what will be each team's final game of the group play rounds.
While Evan Fournier and Dennis Schroder were able to talk things out after today's altercation, the two teams will likely be ready to compete in a high-intensity game when they take to the court in Paris.