MANILA, Philippines – In a thrilling matchup at the Basketball World Cup, Luka Doncic of Slovenia found himself ejected from the game while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada to a historic semifinal berth. Canada emerged victorious with a 100-89 win, setting up a semifinal clash against Serbia on Friday.
Luka Doncic Ejected as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The game was marked by Doncic’s ongoing dispute with the referees throughout the night. His frustrations eventually boiled over, leading to his ejection with 6:37 remaining in the game. Doncic received his second technical foul of the night, both of which were a result of his heated arguments with the officials over calls or non-calls. Slovenia was trailing by 15 points at the time of his dismissal, and despite making a late surge to narrow the deficit to nine, they were unable to overcome the Canadian team’s advantage.
Doncic, who contributed 26 points for Slovenia, returned to the court after being ejected, but only to congratulate the Canadian players as the final buzzer sounded. Reflecting on his emotions during the game, Doncic acknowledged his struggles in maintaining composure while playing for the national team.
Doncic Statement
“Playing for the national team, it’s a lot of emotions. A lot of times I don’t control myself, which I’ve been having problems with,” Doncic admitted. “But you know, the referees told one of the guys they’re not going to call a foul on him because he’s coming at us. I think this is not fair. I know I complained a lot, but I don’t think it’s fair. They’ve been playing very physical with me, but if you say that, it’s not fair.”
Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer for Canada, pouring in 31 points in a stellar display. He received ample support from RJ Barrett, who added 24 points to the team’s winning effort. This victory propels Canada into their first-ever World Cup semifinals, a historic achievement for Canadian basketball.
“It’s an honor,” Gilgeous-Alexander expressed after securing Canada’s semifinal berth. “It’s an honor in itself. But we’re not satisfied.” The Canadian team is determined to continue their impressive run and vie for the World Cup title.
Canada’s road to the semifinals hasn’t been without its challenges. The game against Slovenia saw Dillon Brooks also ejected, following a technical foul. Despite the setback, the Canadian team showcased their resilience and fighting spirit, highlighting their status as true contenders in the tournament.
Canada’s next opponent, Serbia, will undoubtedly provide a tough test in the semifinals. In the other semifinal matchup, the United States will face Germany. The winners of these games will advance to the highly anticipated World Cup final on Sunday night.
As the competition intensifies, basketball fans around the world eagerly await the outcome of the remaining games. The clash between Canada and Serbia promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming to etch their names in basketball history.
