Canada will be watching the gold medal game of the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics from the sidelines after an unexpected turn of events. Despite entering the game as eight-point favorites, Canada fell to France 82-73 in the quarterfinals, extinguishing their hopes for an Olympic gold.
A Disappointing Start
Canada struggled mightily at the outset of the game, scoring just 10 points in the first quarter. The sluggish start allowed France to gain a crucial early advantage. By halftime, the scoreboard read 45-29 in favor of France, leaving Canada with a significant deficit to overcome.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a crucial player for Canada, led the team with 27 points. However, his individual efforts were not enough to surmount the early gap. Reflecting on the game, Gilgeous-Alexander captured the collective disappointment: "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us."
Key Contributions and Shortcomings
On the French side, Guerschon Yabusele emerged as a standout performer, scoring 22 points. Victor Wembanyama contributed seven points, while Evan Fournier added 15 points off the bench. France's defense also played a pivotal role, holding Canada to minimal scoring in the first quarter and keeping the pressure on throughout the game.
RJ Barrett was another bright spot for Canada, adding 16 points, but no other Canadian player managed to reach double figures in scoring. The team's bench also struggled, producing just 16 points. Jamal Murray's performance was a particular point of concern. Averaging 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field throughout the tournament, Murray scored only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting against France. His three-point shooting woes continued, going 2 for 14 for the tournament.
Turnovers and Team Dynamics
While France turned the ball over 17 times, Canada finished with 14 assists and an equal number of turnovers. The inability to protect the ball and effectively share it on the offensive end significantly hindered Canada's efforts. Head coach Jordi Fernandez did not mince words in his assessment: "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball."
A Long-Awaited Return Cut Short
This Olympic appearance marked Canada's first since the 2000 Sydney Games, making the early exit even more disheartening for both the team and its fans. The team had high hopes and aspirations, which made the defeat even more painful. "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," said forward Lu Dort.
Future Uncertainties
The loss raises questions about the future composition of the team. Notably, incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey withdrew from the 2024 Olympic roster to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, and Rudy Gobert, who played three minutes for France, represents another connection to the NBA that adds layers to the international basketball narrative.
As Canada grapples with the disappointment of their early exit, the team will need to regroup and reassess their strategies moving forward. The Paris setback serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability and competitive nature of international basketball.