USA dominates Canada on a show match before Paris Olympics

THE STACKED national basketball team of the United States of America (USA) overcame the powerful Canadian squad, 86-72, to begin their preparation campaign for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics.

The head-to-head duel between the two titans was must-see entertainment. Canada came in blazing hot, giving them an 11-1 advantage at the start of the match due to the USA’s shaky start. 

Nonetheless, the Americans increased their chances as the second squad entered the game. The United States took its first lead in the second quarter and held on to the 41-33 edge it had at halftime. 

From that point forward, the NBA-player-led USA demonstrated to everyone that their packed lineup is too much to handle and never looked back, despite Canada’s attempts to lessen the advantage and maybe retake it.

Anthony Edwards led the way with 13 points, followed by Stephen Curry’s 12 points, Jrue Holiday’s 11 points, and Anthony Davis’ efficient statline of 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. 

Meanwhile, Canada’s RJ Barrett scored 12 points, Dillon Brooks scored 10 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was anticipated to lead the squad, scored only 10 points. 

Kevin Durant, the all-time leading scorer for Team USA, did not play today due to a calf issue. Despite this, he is making steady progress and hopes to return to duty in their Abu Dhabi exhibition games.

Kawhi Leonard out, Derrick White in

With only a few weeks until the Paris Olympics, Kawhi Leonard publicly withdraws from Team USA, to be replaced by 2024 NBA Champion Derrick White of the Boston Celtics.

According to an announcement made by USA Basketball on X (formerly Twitter), Leonard and his NBA team, Los Angeles Clippers, would choose to sit out the Olympic Games and focus on the next NBA season.

“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas. He felt ready to compete,” said USA Basketball’s management on X.

“However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it’s in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris.”

Team USA then welcomed White to the team with an X-post. According to the Olympic website, the team is thrilled to have the 30-year-old two-way guard on board for the forthcoming Paris Games.

“I am happy to announce that Derrick will compete at his first Olympic Games on the heels of a championship season in Boston,” said USA Basketball Men’s managing director Grant Hill

“We look forward to him joining the team in the coming days as we continue preparations for Paris.”

White is not new to international competition; he previously represented the United States in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds for Boston’s championship run, demonstrating his value to this club. 

The USA will continue their Olympic preparations when they meet Australia on July 15 (ET), Serbia on July 17 (ET), South Sudan on July 20 (ET), and Germany on July 22 (ET).