Canada advanced to the FIBA World Cup semifinals with a 100-89 win over Slovenia in Manila, Philippines on Wednesday.
With the win, Canada will play Serbia in the semis on Friday at 4:45 a.m. ET / 1:45 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW.
Germany will face the United States in the other semifinal.
Canada already guaranteed itself a 2024 Paris Olympics berth with a dramatic win over Spain on Sunday.
Slovenia needed a win to have a shot to secure an Olympic berth this year. It will now have to play in a last-chance qualifying event next year.
The win over Slovenia guarantees Canada’s best finish in history at a World Cup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his strong tournament for the Canadians as he finished with a game-high 31 points, his fourth-straight game in the tournament with at least 20 points. RJ Barrett chipped in with 24 points and nine rebounds of his own to help Canada reach the semis.
Slovenia’s star point guard Luka Doncic gave Canada trouble all game but was disqualified midway through the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul of the contest. He finished with 26 points, five assists and four rebounds before being ejected.
Canada’s star defender Dillon Brooks was also removed from the game early after being assessed a disqualifying foul to start the final quarter.
Tied 50-50 at halftime, Canada outscored Slovenia by nine in the third quarter to take an 80-71 lead into the fourth. The Canadians pushed the lead to 17 at one point in the fourth before Slovenia cut the lead to single digits late in the quarter.
But Canada turned to its closer Gilgeous-Alexander, who helped bring the game home for the Canadians.
