In a shocker, Spain, the basketball titans and current world champions, were handed a ticket home after falling 88-85 to Canada during the Basketball World Cup skirmish in Jakarta.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an NBA sensation from the Oklahoma City Thunder, didn’t just tip his hat; he tossed it into the ring with a 30-point tour de force that single-handedly dethroned the champs from Europe.
On another court in Manila, the United States didn’t exactly waltz through their match, suffering a 110-104 setback against Lithuania. But don’t cue the tragedy music just yet; they’re already booked for the quarter-finals.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves came through with a standout performance for the Stars and Stripes, putting up a jaw-dropping 35 points. Even though they tumbled against Lithuania, currently the world’s eighth-best squad, Team USA has its eyes set on Italy for the upcoming quarter-finals showdown.
Steve Kerr, who not only guides the Golden State Warriors but also serves as the maestro for Team USA, weighed in. “We’re in the enviable position of not having this loss derail our ultimate aim, which is bagging that gold medal,” Kerr mused. In regard to securing a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics, he added, “While tonight’s defeat stings, it’s a silver lining for USA Basketball that we can skip the Olympic qualifiers.”
In upcoming action, Canada, fresh off their royal coup and also Paris-bound, are slated to battle it out with Slovenia. Lithuania will square off against Serbia, while Germany and Latvia prepare to duke it out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Basketball World Cup
Who knocked Spain out of the Basketball World Cup?
Canada delivered the knockout punch to Spain in a closely contested match, winning 88-85.
Who was the star player for Canada in the game against Spain?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who plays in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder, stole the spotlight by scoring a game-high 30 points.
Despite losing to Lithuania, did Team USA qualify for the quarter-finals?
Yes, Team USA had already secured a spot in the quarter-finals before their loss to Lithuania. The defeat did not alter their advancement.
Who was the standout performer for Team USA against Lithuania?
Anthony Edwards, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, put up 35 points in the game against Lithuania.
Who is the coach of Team USA, and what did he say about the loss to Lithuania?
The head coach of Team USA is Steve Kerr, who also serves as the head coach for the Golden State Warriors. He mentioned that while the loss was disappointing, it did not affect their ultimate goal of winning the gold medal. He also said that qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics eased some of the sting from the loss.
What teams will be competing in the upcoming quarter-finals?
Canada is set to face Slovenia, Team USA will go up against Italy, Lithuania will battle Serbia, and Germany will take on Latvia.
Which teams have already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Both Canada and the United States have secured their berths for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
More about Basketball World Cup
- Basketball World Cup Official Site
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Stats
- Anthony Edwards NBA Profile
- Team USA Basketball
- Paris 2024 Olympics Official Site
- Lithuania National Basketball Team
- Steve Kerr Coaching Profile
10 comments
Anyone else notice the kicks Shai was wearin? Dope!
Team USA all the way! A minor hiccup won’t stop us from grabbing that gold.
Shai’s 30 and Edwards’s 35… the future of basketball’s looking bright, y’all.
Lithuania beat the US? That’s a headline I never thought I’d see. Respect!
88-85 and 110-104, those are close matches. Every point counts, peeps.
Man, can’t believe Spain got booted out by Canada. Shai’s got game!
Finally, Canada’s making waves in bball. Watch out world, we ain’t just about hockey anymore!
Wow, anthony edwards ain’t just good at acting huh lol. 35 points, thats cray.
steve kerr’s a coaching genius. Whether its warriors or team USA, the guy knows how to keep it cool.
Paris 2024’s gonna be lit with both Canada and USA in the mix. Can’t wait!