Canada’s men’s basketball team fell to Serbia 95-86 in the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup on Friday.
The game was a close contest throughout, with Canada leading by as many as six points in the first half. However, Serbia rallied in the second half and took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter.
Canada’s offense struggled in the second half, shooting just 38% from the field. The team also turned the ball over 18 times, which Serbia converted into 23 points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada with 23 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 22 points. However, the team’s other scorers struggled, with no other player scoring more than 10 points.
Serbia was led by Nikola Jokic, who had 34 points and 14 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points for Serbia.
The loss ends Canada’s hopes of winning its first FIBA World Cup title. The team will play for third place on Sunday against the loser of the France-United States semifinal.
Canada’s run at the World Cup
Canada’s run at the World Cup was a surprise to many. The team was not considered to be one of the favorites, but they played well throughout the tournament.
Canada won all three of its games in the group stage, including an upset victory over France. The team then defeated Turkey and Greece in the knockout stage to reach the semifinals.
Canada’s loss to Serbia was a disappointing end to the team’s run, but they should be proud of their accomplishments. The team showed that they can compete with the best teams in the world, and they will be a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments.
Looking ahead to the future
Canada’s future looks bright. The team has a number of young players who are just beginning to reach their potential. Gilgeous-Alexander, Alexander-Walker, and RJ Barrett are all potential All-Stars, and they will be the core of Canada’s team for years to come.
Canada also has a strong coaching staff led by Nick Nurse. Nurse is a proven winner, having led the Toronto Raptors to an NBA championship in 2019. He will be able to help Canada continue to improve and reach its full potential.
Canada is a rising power in men’s basketball. The team’s performance at the World Cup is a sign of things to come. Canada will be a contender for a medal at the next Olympics and World Cup.