Latvia gets bad news after upset win over France at FIBA World Cup

Latvia’s Dairis Bertans is expected to miss approximately five weeks after sustaining a partial left hamstring tear in the team’s upset victory against France, the Latvian Basketball Association announced (Twitter link). That recovery timeline means Bertans will miss the remainder of the 2023 World Cup.

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Latvia, which will now be without its captain and sharpshooter. The team is already playing without Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, who is dealing with plantar fasciitis.

Through two games at the World Cup, Bertans scored 28 points in just 21 minutes, converting an incredible 8-of-11 from three-point range. Over his lengthy international career, he has shot 38.9% from deep.

Bertans, 33, is a former NBA guard, having played 12 games for the Pelicans during the 2018/19 season. He’s also the older brother of Thunder forward Davis Bertans, another member of the Latvian national team.

Latvia will face Canada on Tuesday to determine who will emerge from Group H undefeated — both 2-0 teams have already advanced to the second round.