Canada’s bid for Olympic gold in men’s basketball has ended in disappointment as they succumbed to an 82-73 defeat against France in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite entering the game as eight-point favorites, Canada couldn’t overcome a sluggish start and a stifling French defense.
Off to a Rocky Start
The game’s tone was set early on. Canada scored just 10 points in the first quarter, facing relentless pressure from a French team that displayed remarkable defensive discipline. By halftime, the situation looked bleak for the Canadians, who found themselves trailing 45-29. “We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," lamented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Canada with an impressive 27 points.
Key Performers
While Gilgeous-Alexander shone brightly, his efforts were not enough to counteract a balanced French attack and a resilient defense. Victor Wembanyama, a notable presence on the court, chipped in with seven points. Rudy Gobert, though playing only three minutes, made his physicality felt in crucial moments. Guerschon Yabusele and Evan Fournier were instrumental off the bench for France, scoring 22 and 15 points respectively.
Canada’s Struggles
Canada’s offensive woes were apparent throughout the game. RJ Barrett contributed 16 points, but no other Canadian player reached double figures. The team’s overall performance was marred by a meager tally of 14 assists against 14 turnovers, a clear indicator of their struggles to maintain offensive fluidity. Head coach Jordi Fernandez didn’t hold back in his post-game assessment. "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball,” he stated.
The inefficiency extended to Jamal Murray, who had a difficult time throughout the tournament. Averaging only 5.6 points and shooting a concerning 33.9% from the field, his struggles persisted against France, managing only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting. His 3-point attempts were particularly disheartening, as he went 2 for 14 throughout the tournament.
France Capitalizes
Despite turning the ball over 17 times, France managed to capitalize on Canada’s miscues and sluggish start. Their tenacity on defense and ability to make crucial plays at key moments stymied any attempt at a Canadian comeback. "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 Canadian forward Lu Dort, summing up the team’s collective sentiment.
Future Prospects
This Olympic appearance was Canada’s first since the 2000 Sydney Games, marking a significant milestone even if the journey ended sooner than hoped. Moving forward, the team will need to reflect on their performance and look for ways to build on this experience. The absence of incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who pulled out to focus on his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, was a notable mention, yet the Canadians will need to regroup and develop further to meet their goals in future competitions.
Ultimately, while the Canadian team showed moments of promise, their inability to maintain consistency and match France’s intensity showed there is still ground to be covered. As the dust settles on their Olympic campaign, the focus will undoubtedly shift to ensuring that this sour exit becomes a stepping stone towards a brighter future for Canadian men’s basketball.