In a thrilling showdown on the basketball court, Canada managed to survive a dramatic push from Spain and emerged victorious to maintain their undefeated record in group play. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams and fans alike, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing a pivotal role in securing the win for Canada.
Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his talent by scoring 20 points and coming up clutch with two crucial free throws in the final seconds of the game. His performance was instrumental in Canada’s 88-85 victory over Spain, allowing them to clinch the top spot in Group A. Andrew Nembhard also made significant contributions to the team’s success, adding 18 points to the scoreboard.
Despite a valiant effort from Dario Brizuela, who led Spain with 17 points, the team fell short and was eliminated from contention due to Greece’s win over Australia and a 1-2 finish in group play. This disappointing result marked an early exit for Spain, a team that had previously earned an Olympic medal with a bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
The game itself was a nail-biter, with Canada holding a comfortable 14-point lead in the third quarter before Spain mounted a comeback to cut the deficit to just three points early in the fourth. The momentum swung back and forth as both teams fought tooth and nail for every possession.
In a crucial moment late in the game, Spain had a chance to tie the score when Alex Abrines was fouled and sent to the free-throw line. However, he missed one of his two attempts, giving Canada a lifeline. RJ Barrett seized the opportunity by sinking a corner 3-pointer to extend Canada’s lead to 85-80.
With the clock ticking down, Jaime Pradilla scored a quick layup for Spain, putting the pressure on Gilgeous-Alexander to deliver at the free-throw line once again. Despite making one of his free throws, Spain’s Sergio Llull managed to hit a clutch 3-pointer to bring the score to 86-85 with just 3.1 seconds remaining.
In the end, Canada’s resiliency and composure proved to be the difference-maker as they held on for a hard-fought victory over Spain. As they now await their opponent in the knockout round next week, Canada can take pride in their unbeaten run and look to build on their success as they push towards the medal rounds.
