Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez came into this summer looking to lead the Canadian Men’s National Basketball Team to a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fernandez and Team Canada had a tough test coming up against Spain, but it looks like Fernandez and his players were ready for the challenge.
Canada beat Spain 88-85 on Friday in a nail-biting game that required some heroics from players like Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett. Canada led by as many as 14 points in this one before Spain fought back valiantly to bring the game down to one possession before Barrett hit a dagger three-pointer with 38.8 seconds to give the Canadians a 85-80 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 20 points and three rebounds while Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard had 18 points and two assists. Barrett finished with 16 points and Houston Rockets guard Dillon Brooks had 13 points in the crucial win for Canada.
The Canadians are now 3-0 in the Olympics as they wait to see who they will be facing in the quarterfinals of the tournament. With Canada’s win over Spain, they will advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2000.
đ 3-0
đ Group A winners
đ O Canada pic.twitter.com/1zIQ6hFRuX— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 2, 2024
Canada beats Spain in a thriller.
The Spaniards are out of the Olympic quarter finals for the first time since 2000.
Canada in the quarter finals for the first time since 2000.
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 2, 2024
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