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Anthony Edwards (center) and his U.S. teammates miss out on a medal
Photo: FRANCIS R. MALASIG / EPA
The basketball stars of the USA have gambled away the bronze medal at the World Cup in Asia two days after the semi-final against Germany. In the match for third place, head coach Steve Kerr's team lost 118-127 (111-111, 56-58) after extra time to Canada and thus finished the tournament in fourth place. The Canadians, on the other hand, led by star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points, twelve assists) and top defenseman Dillon Brooks (39 points), won their first ever medal at a World Cup.
Even a sensational action by Mikal Bridges, who deliberately missed a free throw 0.6 seconds before the end of regulation time and converted a three-pointer to equalize after his own rebound, was not enough for the US team.
The USA didn't seem to take the bronze game in the Mall of Asia Arena seriously in front of 10,666 spectators. Paolo Banchero, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not even play for health reasons. Behind Anthony Edwards (24 points) and Austin Reaves (23), too few professionals from the US team, which is peppered with NBA professionals, were convincing. In addition, the defense once again acted desolately.
USA and Canada qualified for the 2024 Olympics
Two days earlier, the USA had lost the semi-finals 111-113 against Germany and thus missed out on their sixth World Cup title. The five-time champion's last world championship title to date came in 2014. Despite the defeat, the U.S. surpassed their seventh-place finish of 2019, their worst ever result at a major international tournament.
For the 2024 Olympics, the Americans, like the Canadians, are qualified with the World Cup result. Another U.S. team is expected in Paris. There is speculation about the return of players such as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker or Jayson Tatum. The slightly older superstars Stephen Curry (35 years) and LeBron James (38) could also make a comeback for the Olympic Games.
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