Team Canada is in the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines. On Wednesday, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Toronto, Ont., had 31 points as Canada beat Slovenia 100-89 in the fourth quarterfinal.
Four Canadians reached double figures. New York Knicks shooting guard RJ Barrett of Toronto had 24 points, while Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks of Mississauga, Ont., and Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Toronto each had 14 points had.
Gilgeous-Alexander actually got a double-double. He had 10 rebounds and was Team Canada’s co-leader in assists with four. The other Canadian with four assists was Toronto-based Utah Jazz power forward Kelly Olynyk.
The first half of the quarter-final game was extremely even. Both Canada and Slovenia scored 50 points each. It was the second half where Team Canada dominated and defeated Slovenia 50-39. One player from each team was sent off in the second half. The Canadian player was Brooks, considered one of the best defenders in the NBA. The Serbian player was Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who is considered one of the best players in the NBA.
Canada will face Serbia in the semifinals on Friday. In the other semifinal, the USA will face Germany.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”