Team USA Cruises Past Canada in Men's Basketball Exhibition Game
Devin Booker - Photo by Malachi Gabriel
In a spectacular beginning to their quest for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the U.S. men's basketball team demonstrated their skill and teamwork by overpowering Canada 86-72 in an exhilarating exhibition game on Wednesday. This match was the team's inaugural outing in their Olympic preparation, and they delivered an impressive performance.
From the first whistle, Team USA exhibited a powerful blend of star quality, athleticism, and unity, captivating fans throughout the game. Leading the effort, Anthony Edwards scored an impressive 13 points, setting the pace for the team's vibrant display. Stephen Curry, renowned for his exceptional shooting, added 12 points, while Anthony Davis commanded both offense and defense with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. LeBron James, in just 19 minutes of play, contributed a versatile stat line of seven points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Jrue Holiday completed the standout performance with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
This victory highlighted Team USA's offensive strength and defensive resilience, effectively containing a talented Canadian squad. The game transcended a mere exhibition, serving as a declaration of the U.S. team’s intention to reassert their predominance on the international stage after a narrow defeat to Canada in the bronze medal game of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a dramatic overtime battle that secured Canada their first World Cup medal and their first significant international basketball competition medal since the 1936 Olympics.
The exhibition was rich with high-profile narratives. Both teams featured a player from the 2023-24 All-NBA First Team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) for Canada and Jayson Tatum for the U.S. Additionally, Team USA's lineup included four players from both the All-NBA Second Team (Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard) and Third Team (Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, and LeBron James).
Even with the absence of Kevin Durant, Team USA’s all-time leading scorer in the Olympics, due to calf soreness, the depth and talent of the team were unmistakable. This game provided the Americans with an essential opportunity to assess their preparedness and foster chemistry as they united for the first time this summer.
Looking forward, Team USA's journey continues with a series of Olympic warm-up games against strong opponents: Australia on July 15 and Serbia on July 17 in Abu Dhabi, followed by South Sudan on July 20 and Germany on July 22 in London. These matches will be critical tests as they gear up for their Olympic opener against Serbia on July 28.
As the road to the Paris Olympics unfolds, Team USA's decisive win over Canada signals their potential and determination. Basketball enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await to see how this talented team will unite in their pursuit of Olympic success. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as Team USA advances toward Paris!
By Steven Cuoco