2023 FIBA World Cup: Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Set to Face United States in Third Place Game

Although it won’t be in the championship game, Oklahoma City Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will match up against Team USA to conclude the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Entering Friday, only four teams remained in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The United States was a favorite over Germany, while the odds favored Canada over Serbia. As such, there appeared to be a good chance that Canada and the United States would face off in the championship game.

However, underdogs prevailed in the semifinals, as Serbia and Germany advanced with victories and will be playing in the championship game on Sunday.

With that in mind, third place is still up for grabs between the USA and Canada. As such, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get to match up against a team full of his peers at the NBA level. Other than his matchup against Luka Doncic (Slovenia) in the quarterfinals, this will be his toughest test as it relates to individual head-to-head talent.

None of Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates are on Team USA, but it will still be a quality test. Even if it’s for third place and not first, it’s another stage in which he can prove he’s one of the best players in the world.

Canada is a 6.5-point underdog to the United States in this bronze medal game, but never count them out. Gilgeous-Alexander had a slow scoring contest against Serbia given he got in foul trouble, but will look to bounce back here.

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