The FIBA World Cup kicked off with a highly-anticipated matchup between two of the top contenders to challenge Team USA. France, known for their strong performance against Team USA at the Olympics, faced off against Canada, a team with a talented roster but lacking experience in international competitions.
Despite their lack of experience, Canada showcased their talent and depth, led by All-Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With seven NBA players on their roster, including Gilgeous-Alexander and other notable names such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Lu Dort, and RJ Barrett, Canada proved their mettle against a French team expected to perform well in the tournament.
France held the lead for most of the first half, with Canada only having a slim three-point advantage at halftime. However, the second half was a different story as Canada dominated, outscoring France 52-22 to secure an impressive 95-65 victory. Leading the charge was Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded 27 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.
This victory puts France at a disadvantage early in the tournament. During the opening round, teams are divided into groups of four, with the top two teams advancing. Canada’s significant win over France not only gives them an important victory but could also have an impact on tiebreaker scenarios. While both Canada and France are expected to be favored in the remaining games against Latvia and Lebanon in Group H, Latvia’s 39-point win over Lebanon could factor in as a tiebreaker.
This win signifies a potential shift in the power dynamics of international basketball. France’s NBA players, Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and Nicolas Batum, are all in their 30s, while Canada’s key players are much younger. Although France has promising young talent like Victor Wembanyama, the landscape of international basketball is evolving, with new contenders emerging and the dominant teams of the past decade starting to age.
It is important to note that Canada is not at full strength in this tournament. Jamal Murray and Brandon Clarke, both NBA players, were unable to participate due to injuries, and there are uncertainties surrounding the availability of Andrew Wiggins. Despite these setbacks, Canada’s young NBA talent has shown their potential with wins like this, making them a formidable force on the international stage for years to come.
