Shai Gilgeous-Alexander confronts Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece following Olympic win
The 2024 Olympic Games are underway this weekend and the Canadians managed to hold off Greece in a close men’s basketball contest on Saturday. Canada won 86-79, thanks to some late buckets by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some late free throws from Jamal Murray. There was a bit of a scuffle at the end of the game.
A player from Greece ran into Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after the buzzer sounded. And SGA didn’t take too kindly to it, thinking the move was intentional. He went up to Giannis Antetokounmpo and exchanged some words with the Greece players, before being held back. Things were eventually separated and tempers calmed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a beautiful layup in the lane right over Antetokounmpo with 42 seconds left to put Canada up 82-78. It was a critical bucket and pretty much the game-winner. Jamal Murray buried two free throws in the final seconds to pretty much ice it for Canada.
Alexander had plenty of other players step up for Canada
Canada is loaded with NBA star power, and it showed up in a big way on Saturday. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. RJ Barrett pumped in 23 points, while stuffing the stat sheet with four rebounds. And Dillon Brooks had 14 points and six rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo put up some spectacular numbers, per his usual custom. The “Greek Freak” did not disappoint, stuffing the stat sheet with 34 points and five rebounds. He also drilled 11 of his 17 shots from the field, while connecting on 12 of his 15 free throws. He became just the third player in Olympic history to score more than 30 points in his debut.
Some other scores in Olympic men’s basketball on Saturday, Australia took care of Spain 92-80. Germany took care of business against Japan, 97-77. Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner continue to shine for the Germans, pumping in 22 points and 15 points.
NBA star Dennis Schroder scored 13 points. He’s been one of the key contributors for the German squad. They’ve looked strong in exhibition play and Germany should be a team to watch in the medal rounds. Japan got solid performances from NBA stars Yuta Watanbe (16 points, two rebounds) and Rui Hachimura (20 points, 10 rebounds).
Team USA gets underway on Saturday, as they’ll take on Serbia and Nikola Jokic at 11:15 AM EST. The Americans will need to play much better than they’ve looked in the exhibition rounds if they wish to bring home a medal.