In a surprising turn of events, Canada will not be facing Team USA in the gold medal game of the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite being one of the favorites, Canada’s hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals by a resilient French squad that managed to pull off an upset victory.
Disappointing Start for Canada
Entering the game as eight-point favorites, Canada's performance fell short right from the first quarter. France's defensive prowess held Canada to just 10 points in the opening quarter. By halftime, the Canadian team found themselves trailing 45-29, a deficit that proved too much to overcome. Head coach Jordi Fernandez remarked, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
Standout Performances
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Canadian offense with a game-high 27 points, it was not enough to counter France's balanced attack. RJ Barrett contributed 16 points, but no other Canadian player reached double figures. This lack of scoring depth hindered their chances of mounting a comeback.
In contrast, France saw significant contributions from multiple players. Guerschon Yabusele led the way with 22 points, while Evan Fournier added 15 points off the bench. Highly-touted prospect Victor Wembanyama contributed seven points, and although Rudy Gobert played only three minutes, the team’s cohesive play ensured their victory.
Turnovers and Shooting Woes
The game was marred by turnovers from both teams, with Canada and France recording 14 and 17 turnovers, respectively. Canada's inability to capitalize on these opportunities was evident as they finished with a mere 14 assists, reflecting their struggles in ball movement and offensive execution.
Jamal Murray, who had been averaging just 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field throughout the tournament, had another tough night. He managed to score only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting and had been particularly cold from beyond the arc, going 2 for 14 on three-point attempts during the tournament. These struggles exemplify Canada’s difficulties in generating offensive rhythm.
A Historic Opportunity Missed
This Olympic appearance marked Canada’s first since the 2000 Sydney Games, making their early exit even more disappointing. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed the team’s sentiment after the loss: "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us."
Lu Dort echoed similar feelings of frustration and determination to improve: "It's really disappointing. We had goals to get all the way to the end. When it gets cut short, it's tough and we have to live with it. We have to do whatever it takes to get back in four years."
Looking Forward
As Canada reflects on this stinging defeat, their focus will inevitably shift towards the future and how they can build on this experience. Notably absent from the 2024 roster was incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who withdrew to focus on his debut season with the Memphis Grizzlies. His addition could provide a much-needed boost in future international competitions.
Despite this setback, Canada has shown they have the talent to compete on the world stage. The challenge now lies in learning from this experience, improving team chemistry, and leveraging their star players more effectively. With a core of young, talented players, Canada will aim to use this disappointment as a stepping stone towards future success.