Luka Doncic is used to being the best player on the floor during most games, but it was Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who shone the brightest on Wednesday.
In a 100-89 quarterfinal win over Slovenia at the FIBA World Cup, Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a game-high 31 points to lead the Canadians to the semis.
Doncic, who was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls, had high praise for Canada’s point guard after the game.
“They have one of the best players in the world,” Doncic told reporters after the game. “It was really tough to guard him.”
Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander were both named to the 2022-23 All-NBA First Team, the first All-NBA selection of Gilgeous-Alexander’s career and the fourth of Doncic’s.
“Shai is the head of the snake,” Canada’s RJ Barrett explained after the win.
But Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t the only Canuck to earn the praise of Doncic, as the Slovenian star was also impressed with the defence of Canada’s polarizing forward Dillon Brooks.
“I think Dillon played great, he was very physical like he always does,” Doncic said. “A lot of people don’t like him but I respect him for what he does and he does that stuff really good.”
Brooks finished with 14 points, but more importantly, his defensive efforts made life difficult for Doncic, who finished with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Brooks will now lead the Canadians into the semifinals Friday against Serbia.
And even though Canada has already clinched an Olympic berth, Gilegeous-Alexander knows there is plenty left to accomplish.
“Job’s not finished,” the Toronto native said after the game. “We didn’t come here just to get to the semifinals, we want gold.”
You can watch Canada take on Serbia in the semis on Sportsnet and SN NOW at 4:45 a.m. ET / 1:45 a.m. PT on Friday.
