Canada's hopes to reach the gold medal game in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics were dashed after a disappointing 82-73 loss to France in the quarterfinals. Entering the game as eight-point favorites, Canada struggled to find their rhythm against a tenacious French defense.
France's defense was stifling from the start, holding Canada to just 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, Canada found themselves in a deep hole, trailing 45-29. Despite a valiant effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led all scorers with 27 points, it wasn't enough to overcome France's balanced attack.
Offensive Struggles and Defensive Pressure
Canada's offensive woes were evident throughout the game. Jamal Murray, who had been averaging just 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field in the tournament, continued his struggles. He managed only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting and was 2 for 14 on 3-point attempts across the tournament. The support from the bench was minimal, contributing just 16 points, and no other Canadian player reached double figures in scoring except for RJ Barrett, who notched 16 points.
The French team, on the other hand, executed their game plan effectively. Victor Wembanyama added seven points, while Rudy Gobert’s limited three minutes on the court did not deter France's momentum. Guerschon Yabusele was a key player for France, scoring 22 points, and Evan Fournier provided a valuable spark off the bench with 15 points. France also struggled with turnovers, committing 17, but it wasn't enough to derail their performance.
Post-Game Reactions
The loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Canadian team, who had high hopes for their first Olympic appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his disappointment, stating, "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 highlighted the team's lack of cohesion and energy. "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball," he remarked, pointing to Canada's 14 assists, which matched their 14 turnovers.
Forward Lu Dort also reflected on the team's unmet goals, saying, "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
Meanwhile, Canada faced adversity even before the Paris Games began, with incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey pulling out from the roster to focus on his debut season with the Memphis Grizzlies. His absence was felt as Canada struggled to find consistent contributions from their roster.
Despite the setback, the future holds promise for Canadian basketball. With a roster filled with young talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, and the prospect of integrating emerging players in the future, there is potential for growth and improvement. The experience gained in Paris, albeit disappointing, will be invaluable as the team looks to the next Olympic cycle.
Canada's Olympic journey in Paris may have ended prematurely, but the lessons learned and the hunger to return stronger in four years will fuel the team's determination. The players and coaching staff remain committed to building on this experience and aiming for greater success in future international competitions.