Canada's Hope Dashed in Quarterfinal Upset by France
The dream of a gold medal game featuring a showdown between Canada and Team USA in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics was shattered early. Despite being placed on opposite ends of the bracket post-group stage, and entering their quarterfinal matchup as eight-point favorites, Canada faced an unexpected and devastating defeat against France.
In a performance that left many Canadian fans heartbroken, France triumphed over Canada with an 82-73 victory. This outcome marked the end of Canada's Olympic journey much earlier than anticipated.
Canada's woes began almost immediately, with France's defense holding them to a mere 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, the deficit had widened significantly, with Canada down 45-29.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a standout for Canada, pouring in 27 points. Despite his impressive performance, his efforts alone couldn't lift the team past their formidable opponents. Reflecting on the game, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his frustration, saying, "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us."
France showcased a well-rounded offensive effort, led by Guerschon Yabusele's 22 points. Evan Fournier provided a significant boost off the bench, adding 15 points, while Victor Wembanyama contributed seven points. Rudy Gobert, who played a limited three minutes, was part of a defensive unit that proved pivotal in controlling the game's outcome.
For Canada, RJ Barrett managed to score 16 points, but regrettably, no other Canadian player reached double figures in scoring. Jamal Murray, who had been averaging a modest 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field in the tournament, continued to struggle, scoring only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting. His 3-point attempts throughout the competition were particularly woeful, with him going 2 for 14 from beyond the arc.
Coach Jordi Fernandez did not hold back in his assessment of the team's performance, emphasizing their lack of cohesion on the court. "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. The statistics supported his critique: Canada finished with an even 14 assists and 14 turnovers.
Although France turned the ball over 17 times, Canada's inability to capitalize on these opportunities and generate consistent offensive production ultimately sealed their fate. Lu Dort, reflecting on the disheartening loss, added, "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."
This Olympic appearance was Canada's first since the 2000 Sydney Games, and the early exit serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and unpredictability inherent in international basketball competition. One notable absence from the roster was incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who chose to pull out from the Olympics to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies. Whether his presence could have altered the outcome remains a point of speculation.
In the end, Canada's journey in Paris was a blend of high hopes and tough lessons. The team's performance oscillated between moments of brilliance and stretches of inefficiency, culminating in an outcome that left fans and players alike yearning for what might have been.
As the team regroups and reflects, the focus will inevitably shift towards future opportunities and the long-term development of Canadian basketball on the international stage. With talents like Gilgeous-Alexander, Barrett, Dort, and others, Canada has the foundation to build upon and the potential to return stronger in the next Olympic cycle.