Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an impressive Olympics debut in his country’s 86-79 group stage win over Greece and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
And that victory didn’t come without some trash talk.
On Saturday in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, two-time All-Star and Thunder guard Gilgeous-Alexander appeared to have some choice words toward Greece’s Giannoulis Larentzakis at the buzzer.
Two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo stepped in, elbowing Gilgeous-Alexander in the chest to diffuse the situation before Canadian staff and teammates stepped in.
It’s not exactly clear what they argument was about, but it might have come down to the intense play of the final quarter.
Canada survived a comeback attempt from Antetokounmpo, who had 34 points and helped Greece make up ground after it faced a 16-point deficit.
In the final moments, Vassilis Toliopoulos scored with 1:15 remaining to get Greece within four points.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
A turnover by Canada on the following possession led to a dunk by Antetokounmpo to cut the lead to 80-78.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a shot over Antetokounmpo’s 6-foot-11 frame, banking it into the basket with 42.8 seconds left, which helped give Canada its first Olympic win in 24 years.
Gilgeous-Alexander put up 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal on 50 percent shooting.
Ex-Knick RJ Barrett also scored 23 points and in the Group A game on Saturday night.
The men’s basketball team last competed in the summer games at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, but the Canadians had not made the tournament until this year.
A bronze medal at the World Cup in the summer of 2023 landed them in this spot.
Greece will match up against Spain also on Tuesday at 5 a.m. ET and Canada will face Australia shortly after at 7:30 a.m.
