Dwight Powell and Team Canada opened group play in the men’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday with an 86-79 win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece.
The long-time Dallas Mavericks center got the start, scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in 21 minutes. True to form, Powell was hit in the face during the game.
Powell is one of 11 players on the Canadian team with NBA experience, including familiar names like Nickeil Alexander-Walker, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trey Lyles, Jamal Murray, and Kelly Olynyk.
Canada led throughout, but Greece went on a 10-0 run to draw within two points at 80-78 with under a minute to play. The Canucks were able to hold on as Gilgeous-Alexander hit a jumper, Murray hit a pair of freebies at the stripe after being fouled by Antetokounmpo, and Barrett threw down a dunk in the final seconds.
Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 34 points. Barrett paced the Canadians with 23 points. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points, while Brooks had 14 points.
Powell and Team Canada will play Australia next. Australia is coming off of an emphatic 92-20 win over basketball powerhouse Spain.
This was Canada’s first appearance in men’s basketball at the Olympics since 2000 in Sydney. Earlier in July, leading up to the Games, Canada went 2-1 in exhibition play. It had qualified at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where the Canadians won bronze
