Frenemies: NBA teammates hook horns in World Cup Second Round

MANILA (Philippines) - Sixteen teams are left standing with hopes of winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. And having a record number of NBA players at this World Cup, it should be no surprise that the Second Round also includes matchups of NBA teammates out for bragging rights.

The First Round was packed with games featuring players who shared NBA locker rooms but were facing off on the global stage. Here are the four Second Round encounters which will see NBA teammates battle.

Luka Doncic versus Dante Exum and Josh Green

Slovenia vs Australia

September 1, 2023

Slovenia and Australia fans are not the only ones tuning in for this intriguing Group K showdown - but also Dallas Mavericks supporters. Doncic, of course, is the leader for both Slovenia and Dallas, but he will be taking on two of his Mavs teammates for next season on the Boomers.

Dante Exum

Green has been with the Mavs for the last three seasons while Exum is returning to the NBA in 2023 after spending last year with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia.

Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner versus Goga Bitadze

Germany vs Georgia 

September 1, 2023

Orlando Magic fans have two special treats in the Group K games. The first day of Second Round action sees the brothers Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner from Germany squaring off against to-be teammate Goga Bitadze from World Cup debutants Georgia.

Moritz Wagner

While the Wagner brothers have been playing together in Orlando for two seasons, the 2023-24 campaign will see them hook up with the Georgian big man, who had spent the last four years with the Indiana Pacers.

Joe Ingles vs Goga Bitadze

Australia vs Georgia

September 3, 2023

The final day of Second Round action sees another Orlando Magic matchup as Bitadze and Georgia face off against Australia and Joe Ingles.

Goga Bitadze

Similar to Bitadze, Ingles will also be new to Orlando in 2023 after he played for the Milwaukee Bucks last season following eight years with the Utah Jazz.

Brandon Ingram versus Jonas Valanciunas

United States vs Lithuania

September 3. 2023

The fourth matchup of NBA teammates will take place in Group J in Manila where Brandon Ingram and United States will face off against Lithuania and New Orleans Pelicans teammate Jonas Valanciunas.

Brandon Ingram

Ingram and Valanciunas have actually been teammates for two seasons as Valanciunas is entering his third season with the Pelicans and Ingram will be playing his fifth campaign in New Orleans.

 FIBA