Team Canada has reached the 2023 FIBA World Cup semifinals for the first-time in the country’s history.
They beat Slovenia 100-89 as the win sends Canada into a semifinal matchup with Serbia on Friday.
Luka Doncic picked up his second technical foul of the game and was ejected with 6:37 left. Both of his technical fouls came after he argued with the referees about non-calls:
Following his second technical foul, Luka Dončić has been ejected from the game. 😬#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/Fpg05QOaMO
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 6, 2023
Slovenia was down by 15 when Doncic was ejected as Canada pulled away to close out the win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again had an incredible outing for Canada. He was the best player on the floor posting 31 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, on 8 of 12 shooting.
RJ Barrett was right behind him with 24 points and 9 rebounds.
Dillon Brooks who was also ejected in this game, finished with 14 points and was 3 of 5 from long distance.
He was hilariously waiting for his teammates in the hallway with boxing gloves after Canada secured the win:
Can’t convince me that Dillon Brooks is a real person 😭 pic.twitter.com/tb4RjABo1p
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) September 6, 2023
This game was tight in the first half. It was 50-50 after 20 minutes of play. The biggest lead for each team in the first half was only 4 points.
Team Canada then took full control when they began the third quarter on a 19-5 run. They never gave up the lead the rest of the way.
History for team Canada
Canada has never won a medal at the World Cup. Regardless of what happens from here, this will be Canada’s best World Cup finish ever. Their previous best finish was 6th.
This comes after Canada secured a spot in the 2024 Olympics after they defeated and knocked out the world No. 1 Spain. Canada has officially qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 2000.
Team Canada continues to make history and have shown the world that they now belong with the best. It’s hard not to think ahead to a potential USA vs Canada final, but first Canada must take care of business against Slovenia on Friday.
Raptors’ guard Dennis Schroder and his German squad look to upset the USA on the other side of the bracket. Germany advanced to the semifinals after a thrilling 81-79 win over Latvia.
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