2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (CAN) - 4 Tyrese Haliburton (USA) - USA v Canada, 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Manila - Mall of Asia Arena(Philippines), 3rd Place Game, 10 September 2023. (Mandatory Photo Credit: FIBA)
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, Team USA fall to Canada and finish fourth in FIBA World Cup
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Team USA came up short in their podium bid at the FIBA Basketball World Cup following a loss to Canada early Sunday morning.
It was the third-place game, with Canada losing to Serbia on Friday and Team USA falling to Germany the same day. The two teams from North America dueled for the bronze medal.
The Canadians, who were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the tournament, raced out to a 13-point lead during the first quarter as the United States defense struggled.
Without Brandon Ingram, Paolo Banchero, and Jaren Jackson Jr., who were all out due to illness, the red white and blue took a bit to get going. They found their footing in the second quarter and recaptured the lead a few times, but they were trailing 58-56 at halftime.
The third quarter looked a lot like the opening frame, but in reverse. The Canadian starters were strong to open the game, sticking it to Team USA and their revised starting lineup featuring Walker Kessler. The bench stabilized the game. In the third frame, Team USA's starters were solid and kept the game close, but Canada's bench extended their lead to nine heading into the final 10 minutes.
The United States battled back and regained the advantage at 96-94 with 6:23 to go. The final stretch was going to be tense, and the score margin remained tied or within two from the 6:58 mark until there was 20 seconds left, when Canada finally went up by three.
That led to a dramatic finish. With four seconds to go, the United States was down by four points when Mikal Bridges was fouled and sent to the free throw line. He made the first foul shot, then missed the second one on purpose so that Team USA could attempt to grab an offensive rebound and make a three.
It worked to perfection, and the game was suddenly tied at 111.
That sent the game to overtime, and Team USA seemed to have momentum after such a big play. But behind Gilgeous-Alexander and a special game from Dillon Brooks, who finished with 39 points, Canada dominated the overtime period. The United States defense was weak in the later knockout rounds, and it cost them.
Canada earned the bronze medal while Team USA finished fourth in the World Cup. The final score was 127-118. It's the second-straight World Cup in which the red, white, and blue didn't earn a medal.
Haliburton finished with six points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Despite a poor shooting game (2/8), Team USA outscored Canada by 10 in his minutes.
"I feel like, if they'll have me back, it's a no-brainer for me," Haliburton said after the game of possibly playing in the 2024 Olympics for Team USA, per Naveen Ganglani of Rappler.
Team USA is now done with international basketball for the summer. They qualified for the Olympics, so they'll be back for Paris next summer. Perhaps Haliburton could be involved.
The United States will be disappointed to not have earned a medal. They looked strong in their exhibitions, but they stumbled against Lithuania, Germany, and Canada late in the World Cup. Haliburton finished the tournament with averages of 8.6 points and 5.6 assists per game.
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