In a significant disappointment for Canadian basketball supporters, Team Canada will not be clashing with Team USA for the gold medal in the men’s basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The tournament brackets saw Canada and the USA strategically placed on opposite ends post-group stage, setting up potential matchups that would require overcoming strong opponents along the way. However, Canada’s journey came to a halt in the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals Clash
Facing the host nation, France, Canada entered the quarterfinal match as eight-point favorites. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as a standout performer for Canada, leading the charge with 27 points. However, a sluggish start proved costly for the team. France's fortified defense stymied Canada, limiting them to just 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, Canada found themselves trailing 45-29, a deficit from which they could not recover.
French Dominance
France's victory, marked by an 82-73 scoreline, was underscored by a balanced team effort. Guerschon Yabusele was particularly potent, scoring 22 points, while the bench support from Evan Fournier, who added 15 points, bolstered France’s campaign. Victor Wembanyama also contributed with seven points. Although Rudy Gobert played only three minutes, France’s overall team performance was cohesive enough to secure the win.
Canadian Struggles
For Canada, the bench managed a mere 16 points, and RJ Barrett was the only other player besides Gilgeous-Alexander to reach double figures, with a tally of 16 points. Star player Jamal Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points per game and a 33.9% shooting rate throughout the tournament, struggled significantly. Against France, Murray scored seven points but was only successful on 3 of 13 attempts. His overall 3-point shooting, at 2 for 14 for the tournament, exemplified his difficulties.
Reflections on the Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on the loss, acknowledging the team’s disappointing start: "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us." Head coach Jordi Fernandez pointed out critical shortcomings in team dynamics, stating, "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball." These candid remarks highlight the internal assessment of where Canada fell short.
Moving Forward
The performance was particularly disheartening considering Canada’s long-awaited return to Olympic basketball. This was their first appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games. Reflecting the collective sentiment, forward Lu Dort expressed the team's sense of unfinished business: "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."
Additional Context
Adding another layer to Canada's challenging path, incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey withdrew from the 2024 Olympic roster to focus on his inaugural season with the Memphis Grizzlies. This absence, coupled with the overall struggle of key players like Murray, presents an intricate picture of Canada’s difficulties in the tournament.
Despite the turnovers from France—17 compared to Canada’s 14—Canada failed to capitalize on these opportunities effectively. Their tally of 14 assists against 14 turnovers reflects the broader issues in their playmaking and execution.
In summary, while the journey was filled with moments of promise, Team Canada fell short when it mattered most. The loss to France underscores the competitive nature of Olympic basketball, revealing areas of both strength and needed improvement. As they look ahead to future competitions, the lessons learned in Paris will undoubtedly shape their strategies and aspirations for the next Olympic cycle.