The “Dream Team” of the United States lost to Canada 127-118 today in the third-place game and failed to reach the podium at the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the second consecutive year, marking the worst streak in the history of competency.
The Canadians took the bronze medal with an overtime win at the Mall of Asia in Manila after the score reached 111 at the end of the fourth quarter.
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks led Canada to its best World Cup finish with 39 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and two blocks.
The two North American teams were the favorites in today’s final at the same venue but were eliminated by Serbia and Germany on Saturday.
The USA, one of the top winners with five titles like the former Yugoslavia, disappointed again four years after their exit in the quarterfinals to China in 2019.
It is the second time the NBA Boys have spent two World Championships outside the top three, although they did so in fourth place in 1963 and 1967.
Summary of the United States and Canada
United States: Michal Bridges (19), Jalen Brunson (13), Anthony Edwards (24), Josh Hart (10), Walker Kessler (6); starting team: Paolo Banchero (-), Tyrese Haliburton (6), Brandon Ingram (6), Cameron Johnson (3), Jaren Jackson Jr. (-), Bobby Portis Jr. (14), Austin Reaves (23). DT: Steve Kerr.
Canada: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31), Rj Barret (23), Luguentz Dort (11), Dillon Brooks (39), Dwight Powell (4) -Starting Lineup-, Kelly Olynyk (11), Kyle Alexander (-), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (5), Zach Edey (0), Phil Scrubb (0), Melvin Ejim (3), Trae Bell-Haynes (-). DT: Jordi Fernandez Torres.
Part-time: Canada 34-25, 24-31, 33-26, 20-29 and 16-7.
Referees: Antonio Conde (Spain), Julio Anaya (Panama) and Takaki Kato (Japan).
Stadium: Mall of Asia, Manila (Philippines).
