Canada made history by earning its first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup medal, defeating the USA 127-118 in a thrilling overtime match. The bronze medal game took place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, with Canada claiming victory over the world’s second-ranked team, the United States.
Key Highlights:
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The game went into overtime after a dramatic ending in regulation. With the USA trailing 111-107 and just 4.2 seconds remaining, forward Mikal Bridges made a free throw and intentionally missed the second, securing the rebound and sinking a corner three-pointer to tie the game with less than a second left on the clock.
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Canada dominated the overtime period, outscoring the USA 16-7, ultimately securing the bronze medal.
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Dillon Brooks led Canada with a remarkable 39 points, setting a record for the most points scored by a player in a medal-winning game in tournament history. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 31 points to Canada’s historic victory.
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Canada’s coach, Jordi Fernandez, praised Dillon Brooks for his exceptional performance, both defensively and offensively, emphasizing his efficiency throughout the tournament.
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Anthony Edwards led the USA with 24 points, while Austin Reaves added 23 points, and Mikal Bridges finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.
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This victory marked Canada’s first FIBA Basketball World Cup medal, signifying a significant achievement for the country’s basketball program.
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In the final match, world No. 11 Germany secured its first-ever World Cup title by defeating No. 6 Serbia with a score of 83-77. Dennis Schröder, who led Germany with 28 points, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Franz Wagner added 19 points.
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Despite the USA’s strong basketball tradition, the team failed to reach the podium in consecutive World Cups for the first time since the 1960s, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.
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The USA conceded the most points in a World Cup game in its history during this match, underscoring the significance of Canada’s accomplishment.
In summary, Canada’s historic victory over the USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medal game marked a milestone for Canadian basketball and showcased the team’s remarkable performance on the international stage.
