Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada past Australia in Paris Olympics
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada to a 93-83 win over Australia in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday.
The Canadian men’s basketball team will face Australia in its second group phase game of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France.
Canada, which is led by OKC Thunder guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort, earned an 86-79 win over Greece on Saturday. Australia, which is led by former OKC guard Josh Giddey, earned a 92-80 win over Spain on Saturday.
Here’s what you need to know:
REQUIRED READING: How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada past Australia, former Thunder teammate Josh Giddey
Canada earned a 93-83 victory, and Barrett shined. He finished with a game-high 24 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Gilgeous-Alexander also poured in 16 points and three steals, while Dort added 11 points and three steals. Giddey led Australia with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Canada now sits atop the Group A standings with four points. It’ll conclude group play with a game against Spain at 10:15 a.m. Friday.
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Canada went on an 14-2 run midway through the third quarter to take the lead.
Barrett was the driving force. The Toronto forward racked up 13 points in the quarter, which brought his total to 20.
The lead changed 10 times in the first half, but Australia entered halftime with a 49-45 lead thanks in large part to Giddey. The Chicago guard recorded 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada with 10 points, while Dillon Brooks poured in nine points and two rebounds. Dort scored six points.
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Gilgeous-Alexander picked up two early fouls, which forced him to sit at the 8:16 mark for the rest of the quarter.
Australia took advantage, and Giddey led the charge by scoring 10 points. Dort and Gilgeous-Alexander scored three points and two points, respectively.
Canada will start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and Dwight Powell.
Australia will start Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Dyson Daniels, Nick Kay and Jock Landale.
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