The first day of the FIBA World Cup brought a thrilling showdown as France and Canada clashed on the court. In Jakarta, Team Canada emerged victorious with a convincing 95:65 win.
The standout player of the match was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 27 points, secured 13 rebounds, and dished out six assists.
The match promised excitement from the start. France took an early lead of 7:0, but Canada responded with a 12:2 run. The spotlight was on Evan Fournier, assisted by Mathias Lessort for France, and the duo of Kelly Olynyk and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Canada. The game remained uncertain with a halftime score of 43:40 in favor of Canada, even though France held a seven-point lead at times.
Caption this. ๐ณ
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ๐ (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
Canada beats France by 30 points. #FIBAWC x #WinForCanada
The beginning of the second half was crucial for determining the final outcome. The impressive performance of Alexander, who scored 13 consecutive points, propelled Canada to their largest lead of the game at 62:44. This paved the way for their decisive triumph, slightly diminishing the significance of the “first-round derby” label. Regardless, Canada secured a significant victory, while France will aim to improve in their remaining two matches.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stood out as the top scorer for the winning team (27 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists). Kelly Olynyk also made a significant contribution with 18 points. On the losing side, Evan Fournier led his team with 21 points, although only two came in the second half. Mathias Lessort and Nando de Colo each scored 12 points.
On Sunday, August 27, France is set to face Latvia in their second-round duel. Meanwhile, Canada will be tasked with fulfilling their role as favorites against Lebanon on the other end. As the tournament unfolds, basketball enthusiasts eagerly anticipate more action-packed matches.