The United States and Canada delivered an electrifying showdown before a crowd of 10,666 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.
This Third Place Game took an unexpected turn, heading into overtime for the first time in over three decades, with Canada ultimately triumphing 127-118.
For Canada, this historic victory marked a groundbreaking moment in international basketball, securing their most significant achievement and securing their first-ever medal in the FIBA Basketball World Cup’s history.
In contrast, the United States experienced an unprecedented absence from the podium in consecutive World Cup events, a drought not seen since 1963, 1967, and 1970.
Dillon Brooks is accustomed to receiving jeers from the crowd whenever he steps onto the court or takes possession of the ball.
However, during this particular game, his exceptional performance in the first half managed to win over even the most loyal LA Lakers fans in the Philippines. In an astonishing turn of events, Brooks even garnered chants of “MVP.”
He concluded the game with an impressive 39 points, shooting a remarkable 7-of-8 from three-point range. Additionally, he played a pivotal role alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, who contributed 31 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds.
“I just appreciate you, from the beginning,” Brooks said. “Everybody that was throwing shots on Twitter and Instagram, watching me play. It just helps me get better each and every day, motivates me to be better on the court for my teammates for whatever team I’m playing for. It motivates me to keep going.”
Check out Dillon Brooks’s TCL Player Of The Game highlights during the United States and Canada game at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023:
