‘World’s strongest’ USA loses to Canada…

The reigning world champions, the United States of America, left the 2023 FIBA World Cup without a medal after losing their final game to Canada.

The USA, ranked No. 2 in the FIBA World Rankings, fell 118-127 in overtime in the third-place game against Canada, ranked No. 15, on Tuesday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

With the loss, the U.S. dropped its third game in six tries and finished the tournament in fourth place.

The USA is currently ranked No. 2 in the FIBA rankings, but is arguably the best basketball team in the world.

However, they had just finished seventh in the quarterfinals of the 2019 World Cup in China, where they lost to France.

The United States, which won the 2010 and 2014 tournaments with NBA stars, tried to return to the top after a nine-year absence with a team centered on rookies such as Anthony Edwards (Minnesota) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis).

However, they faltered in the final against Lithuania (No. 8).

In the end, they lost 111-113 to Germany (No. 11) in the quarterfinals in a close game and were unable to reach the final stage, while back-to-back losses to Canada ended their medal hunt.

Canada, on the other hand, made history by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time and earning their first medal.

Dillon Brooks (Houston) exploded for 39 points to lead Canada to victory.

Oklahoma City Thunder ace Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was also in double figures with 31 points, 12 assists and six rebounds.

Team USA was without key big men like Jackson Jr. and Paolo Banquero (Orlando), the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, due to injury.

Their replacement, Walker Kessler (Utah), had just six points and seven rebounds.

Edwards scored a team-high 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.

Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn), who scored 19 points, had a heroics moment when he intentionally missed a free throw with 4.2 seconds left in regulation down 108-111, grabbed the rebound and hit a three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

But less than two minutes into the overtime period, Gilles Alexander scored seven points to swing the game back in Canada’s favor, and Brooks, who took over the baton, capped the run with a pair of free throws. 토토