Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 16 points fuels Canada's 2-0 start in Olympics
Former Kentucky players have still yet to lose a Group Phase game in men’s Olympic basketball.
Three of the seven Wildcats were in action on Tuesday morning as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and Trey Lyles led Canada into its second pool play game. In a matchup that featured 13 lead changes and one timely fourth-quarter run, it was Canada that came out on top against Australia, 93-83.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the trio of former ‘Cats with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in 26 minutes while shooting 8-10 from the field. Murray chipped in five points, five assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 23 minutes while Lyles added three points and one assist in seven minutes. RJ Barrett led Canada with 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Canada barely led early in the fourth quarter, 74-72, before a 7-0 run broke the game wide open. The Canadians forced 18 Australian turnovers, which translated to 28 points on the other end.
Canada has now beaten Australia and Greece — the latter featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 34 points in the loss — through two Group Phase games and is the only 2-0 team remaining in Group A. A win against Spain on Friday would solidify Canada’s spot in the Round of 16.
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For a country that hasn’t medaled in men’s basketball at the Olympics since earning silver in 1936, Canada is in great position to make a deep tournament run.
Between Canada, USA (Adebayo, Booker, and Davis), and South Sudan (Gabriel), former Wildcats are now 4-0 on the hardwood in the Olympics so far. That will change on Wednesday though as the Americans (1-0) take on South Sudan (1-0). When these two met earlier this month in an exhibition, USA needed a terrific second-half performance from LeBron James to sneak out with a 101-100 win. Tipoff on Wednesday is set for 3:00 p.m. EST.
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