Shai Gilgeous-Alexander produced a double-double Friday to lead Canada to a dominant 95-65 win over France in Group H of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 27 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals to open the group phase of the tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia. He became the first Canadian to record a 20-point double-double in a debut game in the World Cup at the senior level, according to Keerthika Uthayakumar of TSN Sports.
Canada trailed 7-0 to start the contest but settled in to take a 43-40 lead at halftime. The group outscored France, 52-25, in the second half. Captain Kelly Olynyk produced 18 points and four rebounds while Dillion Brooks and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 12 points apiece.
It was the first 30-point loss for France in the World Cup since 1963.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed out in Canada's #FIBAWC opening win 🔥
27 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST pic.twitter.com/OONcGL9s5h
— NBA (@NBA) August 25, 2023
Evan Fournier led France with 21 points. Nando De Colo and Mathias Lessort added 12 points apiece. Rudy Gobert finished with eight points and nine rebounds. France was outscored, 20-4, in points off turnovers and 12-2 in fast-break points.
Nine players scored for Canada. The dominant performance ensured every Canadian saw the court, including Zach Edey, the lone collegiate player on the roster. Edey and Phil Scrubb were the last two players to enter the game late in the fourth quarter.
Canada will return to action on Sunday against Lebanon (0-1) as it looks to start 2-0 in the group phase (5:30 a.m. EDT, ESPN+). The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round.
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