Behind a dominant third quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada to a 101-75 win over Latvia to wrap up group play with a perfect 3-0 record and first place in Group H.
As Oklahoma City Thunder fans know, the third quarter is Gilgeous-Alexander’s money quarter — and that continues to be the case in international play.
The 25-year-old expanded Canada’s one-point halftime lead as he scored 14 of their 24 third-quarter points. He almost single-handily outscored Latvia’s 15 third-quarter points.
In 31 minutes, Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, six assists and six rebounds. He went 2-of-7 from 3 and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Gilgeous-Alexander did most of his damage in the second half, where he scored 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He continues to be arguably the best player in the entire FIBA World Cup.
A slow start saw Latvia jump Canada to a 23-13 lead following the first quarter. But the talent discrepancy and icy outside shooting helped Canada outscore Latvia in the middle quarters, 54-34. Canada used a 34-18 fourth-quarter score to inflate the final margin after a competitive first half.
On the flip side, Davis Bertans struggled to get into a rhythm. The Latvian forward finished with seven points on 2-of-9 shooting, five rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes. He went 1-of-7 from 3.
After a shocking win against France, Latvia settles for a 2-1 record in group play. The 3-point magic disappeared against Canada as it shot 10-of-36 (27.7%) from outside.
Lu Dort did not play for Canada. He missed their previous game dealing with soreness.
Let’s look at instant reactions and highlights from Canada’s 26-point win as they prepare for the second round.
same starting 5️⃣ for 🇨🇦
final Group Phase clash LIVE on @Sportsnet & SN NOW 📺📱#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada pic.twitter.com/sYpdWiHHnY
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 29, 2023
Latvia jumps on Canada early on. 9-5 deficit for SGA and company
— Kade Kimble (@kadekimble) August 29, 2023
Shai eurostep to get on the board, that was sweet
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
Coast-to-coast, splitting the defense & the euro step?
Only Shai. ⚡️#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/P0HQexvebE
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023
Canada getting punched in the mouth here in the 1st quarter. 23-12 and struggling on both ends.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) August 29, 2023
End of 1Q: Latvia 23, Canada 13
SGA – 2 points on 1/5 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Bertans – 2 points on 0/1 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
I admire that Davis Bertans shoots as soon as the ball hits his hands regardless of how far he is behind the 3 point line.
He’s putting up shots at the speed I do with the mini balls at an arcade playing pop a shot.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) August 29, 2023
Shai 3 finallyy
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
This is what you give up when you switch everything.
Latvia hunts out SGA in the post, Dwight helps off a shooter because of it and Latvia gets a wide open shot.
I’d rather give up the 2 then the wide open 3 pic.twitter.com/JCisEA5JZW
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) August 29, 2023
Shai ➡️ RJ 🔨#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada pic.twitter.com/DXBcgBraWm
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023
HALF: Canada 43, Latvia 42
SGA – 8 points on 2/6 shooting, 4 assists, 4 rebounds
Bertans – 4 points on 1/4 shooting, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
SGA 3 & transition dunk in the opening 1.5 mins of the 2nd half
Canada leads 53-44 as Latvia calls a timeout
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
a silencer from Shai
📺: @Sportsnet
📊: https://t.co/lus691mLK5#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeampic.twitter.com/4UQt3Js62C— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 29, 2023
Classic SGA. So smooth pic.twitter.com/3lwbWWCsS7
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) August 29, 2023
Shai’s midrange development over the years is so crazy
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
Evergreen tweet: SGA has taken over this 3Q
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
Shai got 3 Latvians on him at all times and still cooking in the paint. That’s my superstar
— Stan Him Boomer Sooner (Hunter Harjo) (@hunterharjo7) August 29, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against Latvia
16 points
2 rebounds
1 assist
1 steal
7/9 shooting
1/2 FT shootingIN THE 3RD QUARTER pic.twitter.com/6SGJC7Ft06
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
End of 3Q: Canada 67, Latvia 57
SGA – 24 points on 9/15 shooting, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4/5 FTs
Bertans – 4 points on 1/6 shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
SHAI TAKING OVER. 😤
16 points in the third quarter.#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/DWAn3wP6YL
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023
My oh my SGA. Just dropped a defender and got a beautiful midrange jumper. Up to 27 points. Canada by 20.
— Kade Kimble (@kadekimble) August 29, 2023
RJ Barrett clapping at SGA to give him the ball.
My guy; I just watched you miss a FT, get your own rebound and then airball the layup put back.
Sit down and let the only All-NBA player on your team work.
— Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) August 29, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against Latvia
27 points
6 assists
6 rebounds
2 steals
10/17 FGA
5/6 FTAShai leads Canada to a 1st place finish in Group H 🇨🇦⭐️ pic.twitter.com/nFckYpwazG
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 29, 2023
Shai a bad man ⛸️#FIBAWC x #WinForCanada pic.twitter.com/9iXNyqdD46
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 29, 2023
FINAL: Canada 101, Latvia 75
SGA – 27 points on 10/17 shooting, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 5/6 FTs
Bertans – 7 points on 2/9 shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 29, 2023
how we feeling, Canada!? 🗣️🍁#FIBAWC | #WinForCanada | #OneTeam https://t.co/TBB82dGWRy
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 29, 2023
27 points for SGA.
Team Canada wins Group H with a 3-0 record!#FIBAWC | #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/XfqMVo6utJ— NBA (@NBA) August 29, 2023
