Canada's journey in the 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball competition came to an abrupt end, with an 82-73 defeat to France in the quarterfinals. This loss means that Canada will not face Team USA in the gold medal game, as was anticipated by many fans and analysts. Placed on opposite ends of the brackets post-group stage, the potential clash was a tantalizing prospect that will now remain unfulfilled.
Heading into the game, Canada was an eight-point favorite, expected to handle France with relative ease. However, the French defense had other plans. In a shocking first quarter, Canada managed only ten points, putting themselves in a difficult position early on.
Game Breakdown
By halftime, Canada was staring at a daunting 45-29 deficit. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada's efforts with a game-high 27 points, but it was not enough to compensate for the overall performance. "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," Gilgeous-Alexander reflected after the game.
The French squad demonstrated a balanced attack and tenacious defense. Guerschon Yabusele led the charge for France with 22 points. Evan Fournier emerged as a key contributor off the bench, adding 15 points, while Victor Wembanyama chipped in seven points. Rudy Gobert played a limited role, seeing the floor for just three minutes.
Key Struggles for Canada
RJ Barrett added 16 points for Canada, but the support from the rest of the team was lacking. No other Canadian player reached double figures in scoring. "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball," lamented head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Jamal Murray's performance continued to be a concern. Averaging just 5.6 points and shooting 33.9% from the field throughout the tournament, Murray struggled once again, scoring seven points on 3 of 13 shooting. His 3-point shooting woes persisted, going 2 for 14 over the course of the Olympics.
Turnovers were another critical issue for Canada, finishing the game with 14 assists against 14 turnovers. Although France turned the ball over 17 times, Canada's inability to capitalize on these opportunities proved costly.
Disappointment and Reflection
Canada’s return to the Olympic stage in Paris marked their first appearance since the 2000 Sydney Games. Expectations were high for this talented roster. However, the early exit has left the team contemplating their shortcomings and future prospects. "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," said forward Lu Dort.
This sentiment reflects the team's collective desire to grow from the loss and redouble their efforts moving forward. The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey from the 2024 Olympic roster, who pulled out to focus on his season with the Memphis Grizzlies, was another factor that may have impacted the team's overall depth and performance.
Despite the heartbreak, Canada will look to build on this experience. Key players like Gilgeous-Alexander, Barrett, and Dort, alongside others, will likely form the core of Canada’s future endeavors, galvanized by the lessons learned in Paris. The road to redemption will be paved with hard work, introspection, and a renewed commitment to teamwork and resilience.
For now, however, the focus will shift to individual seasons and professional engagements. The national spotlight will return in four years, with a clearer focus and higher stakes as Canada aims to rewrite its Olympic narrative and vie for a place among basketball's elite on the grandest stage.