Canada clinch first-ever Basketball World Cup medal with narrow victory over US

MANILA : Canada secured their first-ever podium finish at the FIBA Basketball World Cup , defeating a short-handed United States team 127-118 in overtime in the bronze medal game in Manila. NBA players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks played a crucial role in Canada's overtime victory, scoring a combined 11 points during the extra period. Brooks led the way with a tournament-high 39 points, along with four rebounds and five assists, while Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 31 points, six rebounds, and 12 assists. Team USA was without key players such as Paolo Banchero , Jaren Jackson Jr , and Brandon Ingram, who were sidelined due to illness. Anthony Edwards led the American squad with 24 points, while Austin Reaves came off the bench to score 23 points. Canada's strong performance in the tournament included reaching the semifinals and securing a spot in the Summer Olympics for the first time since 2000. Despite the loss, the United States improved on their seventh-place finish in the 2019 World Cup , which had been their worst-ever result in a major international tournament. The United States has won the FIBA Basketball World Cup a record five times. (with Reuters input)