Finding a switch he liked, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander created space and nailed a deep stepback midrange shot to give Canada a lead it never relinquished in the final 42 seconds of the game.
In a game that looked like it would disappointingly spell the end of Canada’s 2023 FIBA World Cup run, Gilgeous-Alexander wielded his country to an 88-85 comeback win against Spain.
Buy Thunder TicketsThe win improved Canada’s group record to 4-1 and clinched them a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals. The win also clinches Canada a spot in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
“Half of our goal as we said when we came together a month ago, we wanted to go to the Olympics and we wanted to get gold in this tournament,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the win. “Half of our job is done.”
After looking lethargic through three quarters, Canada outscored Spain 27-12 in the fourth quarter to overcome a 12-point deficit heading into the final frame. Despite looking fatigued, Gilgeous-Alexander caught a second wind and scored 13 of his 30 points in the final 10 minutes — including six points from the free-throw line in the final 21 seconds to seal the result.
Overall, Gilgeous-Alexander scored an extremely efficient 30 points on 7-of-12 shooting, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in 37 heavy minutes. He also went a ridiculously good 14-of-16 from the free-throw line to seal the victory.
After Canada struggled to score in the first three quarters, Gilgeous-Alexander turned on a switch in the fourth quarter that coincided with its win as he either scored or assisted on its final 17 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Lu Dort also played a pivotal role in Canada’s 12-point comeback win. He — along with Dillon Brooks — were defensive wizards against Spain. In 27 minutes, he had three points on 1-of-5 shooting, six assists and four rebounds.
Both Thunder players played important roles in Canada’s must-win performance. Gilgeous-Alexander turned in his best performance yet during this international tournament while Dort was a defensive menace who contributed on offense despite his shot being off.
With Canada avoiding a scare, they’ll now prepare to face Luka Doncic and Slovenia in the quarterfinals. This game will be headlined by the matchup of arguably the two best FIBA World Cup players Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic.
Let’s look at instant reactions and highlights from Canada’s comeback win.
MVP chants for a reason! 🗣️
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again proved to be the deciding factor for Canada, earning TCL Player Of The Game honors in the process! 🇨🇦
📊 30 PTS 7 AST 4 REB 3 STL#FIBAWC x #WinForCANADA #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/wwrdZI6wgx
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2023
you know the 5️⃣
▫️ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
▫️ Dillon Brooks
▫️ RJ Barrett
▫️ Kelly Olynyk
▫️ Dwight Powell#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/eu0VeTg5wz— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) September 3, 2023
SGA to Dort for the corner 3
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
End of 1Q: Canada 21, Spain 21
SGA – 2 points on 1/1 shooting, 2 assists, 1 rebound
Dort – 3 points on 1/2 shooting, 1 assist, 1 rebound
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Is it too early to call this move "The Shai"? #FIBAWC x #WinForCanada pic.twitter.com/WXc0hwVtJF
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2023
Dort to SGA for 3
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Shai with ANOTHER 3, shot looks crispy 😮💨
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) September 3, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed improvement as a playmaker last season, and this summer he has taken another step in that area.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 3, 2023
HALF: Spain 48, Canada 38
SGA – 13 points on 5/7 shooting, 2 assists, 2 rebounds
Dort – 3 points on 1/3 shooting, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Dort starts the 2nd half for Canada over Olynyk
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Tip your cap to Lu Dort and Dillon Brooks, man.
Despite their offensive flaws, they’ve been tremendous on that end for Canada as human battering-rams, getting inside.
They’ve also more than held their end of the bargain on D. Just huge.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) September 3, 2023
Once again, I will say while there is no excuse for Lu Dort to be so bad at rim finishing, I think it gets lost that he has truly improved at decision-making when going to the rim dating back to last season. A much better playmaker off drives than before.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 3, 2023
Shai post up
Kick out to Kelly
Pump fake
Blow by
Deep 3
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) September 3, 2023
Would’ve called a timeout earlier there if I’m Canada
But Spain back up 8 points with 1:32 left in the 3rd
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) September 3, 2023
End of 3Q: Spain 73, Canada 61
SGA – 17 points on 5/9 shooting, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 5/6 FTs
Dort – 3 points on 1/4 shooting, 5 assists, 2 rebounds
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Shai checked out looking exhausted
— TF (@ThunderFocus) September 3, 2023
SGA AND-ONE 🥵@CanBball | #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/KZVTkYVVdj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 3, 2023
SHAI IS THAT GUY
📺: @Sportsnet
📊: https://t.co/PgaUoGpzSR#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) September 3, 2023
SHAI TO BROOKS TO TIE THE GAME AT 80!!!!!
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) September 3, 2023
STEPBACK SHAI FOR THE LEAD
82-80!!!
HE IS SHOWING THE WORLD
HE IS HIM
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) September 3, 2023
Clutch 🪣 by SGA
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes over games. What a fourth quarter on both ends. Superstar.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 3, 2023
Sha Gilgeous-Alexander getting MVP chants on the international stage.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) September 3, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a big-time stepback jumper to give Canada a two-point lead with 42 seconds to go.
Dillon Brooks picked quite the game to get hot, as he has 22 on 8-for-12, including the game-tying 3 on the prior possession.
Should be a wild ending to this one.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 3, 2023
FINAL: Canada 88, Spain 85
SGA – 30 points on 7/12 shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 14/16 FTs
Dort – 3 points on 1/5 shooting, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
Canada advances to the FIBA WC quarterfinals
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 3, 2023
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDEE TO QUALIFY FOR THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE FIBA WORLD CUP
30 POINTS
7-12 FG
2-3 3P
14-16 FT
4 REBOUNDS
7 ASSISTS TO 1 TURNOVER
3 STEALSCLUTCH GW STEPBACK TO GIVE CANADA THE LEAD AND SEALED THE GAME AT THE LINE
SHOWING WORLD HE IS HIM pic.twitter.com/bAV0On4I6F
— ThunderChets (@ThunderChats) September 3, 2023
SGA today:
30 PTS
4 REB
7 ASTLed Team Canada in points and assists. pic.twitter.com/DzOEtf9v5d
— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 3, 2023
"We're a part of history."
Shai with @ArashMadani following a win that will go down as one of the greatest ever in Canadian basketball history.
(📹: @Sportsnet)#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/pCMylRkHMj
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) September 3, 2023
𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 🇨🇦🇨🇦
In securing their place in the @FIBAWC Quarter-Finals after an EPIC win over the champs, Canada confirmed tickets to the 2024 @Olympics as a top-two team in the Americas!
See you at @Paris2024 👊✈️#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/BBczJhF7Mj
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 3, 2023
"Half of our job is done."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chats with @ArashMadani on qualifying for the Olympics. @CanBball | #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/4CJcZh0i1o
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 3, 2023
