Dillon Brooks scored 39 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points along with 12 assists helping Canada capture the bronze medal of the FIBA World Cup with a 127-118 overtime victory over the United States in Manila, Philippines.
RJ Barrett had 23 points for Canada to earn its first medal at a global men’s tournament since 1936. Anthony Edwards scored 24 points while Austin Reaves had 23 for Team USA. The Americans have failed to get a medal for the second straight World Cup after losing three of their final four games in the tournament.
Team USA hasn’t won the World Cup since 2014. Coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s hard. These teams in FIBA are really good, well-coached, they’ve got continuity and they’ve played together for a long time. This is difficult and it’s been difficult already.”
Mikal Bridges had 19 points, which highlighted by a four-point play in the final 4.2 seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. He made a free throw and intentionally missed the second before running down the loose ball. The he hit a 3-pointer that tie the game at 111. However the Canadians pulled it out in the overtime to seal the win.
Both teams have been qualified for the 2024 Olympics, representing the Americas region.
Credit Photo – AP