Canada's hopes of securing a medal in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics came to an end following an 82-73 defeat to France in the quarterfinals. The much-anticipated matchup placed Canada, eight-point favorites heading into the game, against a formidable French team that stymied the Canadian offense effectively.
From the outset, France's defensive prowess became evident as they limited Canada to just 10 points in the first quarter. By halftime, the scoreboard read 45-29 in favor of France, and Canada found themselves in a deep hole from which they never emerged. One of the standout performers for Canada was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who notched 27 points. Despite his heroics, it wasn’t enough to overcome the balanced French attack led by Guerschon Yabusele’s 22 points and Evan Fournier’s valuable 15 points off the bench.
Defensive Struggles and Turnovers
Canada's struggles were not limited to their offensive inefficiency. Their defense couldn't contain France effectively, and their own turnovers compounded the issue. Canada finished the match with 14 assists against 14 turnovers—numbers that are not conducive to winning intense, high-stakes games. France, on the other hand, turned the ball over 17 times, but Canada's inability to capitalize on these mistakes further highlighted their shortcomings.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez lamented the lack of energy and cohesion his team displayed. "We didn't match their energy and physicality. Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn't share the ball," Fernandez said, reflecting on the lost opportunities and the breakdown in team play.
Individual Efforts and Team Dynamics
Aside from Gilgeous-Alexander, the offensive contributions from other Canadian players were minimal. RJ Barrett added 16 points, but no other Canadian player reached double figures, a stark contrast to France’s more distributed scoring effort. Jamal Murray, who had been averaging 5.6 points per game in the tournament and shooting just 33.9% from the field, struggled mightily. Against France, he managed only seven points on 3 of 13 shooting and connected on just 2 for 14 attempts from beyond the arc throughout the tournament.
Reflecting on the game, Gilgeous-Alexander expressed the team’s collective disappointment. "We all wanted to win. I don't know why we started out that way, but it does. It hurts us," he said, underscoring the emotional toll of the loss. Lu Dort echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of growth and looking ahead. "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."
Challenges and Moving Forward
The Olympic journey marked Canada's first appearance in men's basketball since the 2000 Sydney Games, making this exit particularly poignant. The team’s return to the Olympic stage had been highly anticipated, and their performance in the early stages of the tournament had fueled hopes for a deeper run.
One notable absence from the roster was incoming NBA rookie Zach Edey, who opted out of participating to focus on his upcoming season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The void left by Edey, among other challenges, emphasizes the complexities involved in assembling a balanced and cohesive team, particularly on such a grand stage.
Despite the ouster, Canada’s journey in Paris is a learning experience, laying a foundation for future Olympics. The team’s mix of young talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and seasoned players offers a promising outlook, provided they can address their issues and build on the learnings from this significant international exposure.