FIBA World Cup: Knicks Stars Struggle, Shine in Third-Place Game

RJ Barrett helped Team Canada earn a historic victory at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, one that came at the expense of his New York Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett.

When the New York Knicks officially reconvene for training camp this fall, RJ Barrett will have an early edge in trash talking, at least in verbal battles with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

The third-place consolation game of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila was not only a domestic struggle between New Yorkers but also a North American hardwood civil war, one that ended in a 127-118 overtime victory for Canada's men's national team over that of the United States. 

Tuff. 😤#FIBAWC | @CanBball pic.twitter.com/W65FZvfo7N

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 10, 2023

With the win, Canada (6-2) earned its first-ever World Cup medal in 15 appearances, capping off one of the most lucrative runs in program history. Team USA, on the other hand, will not visit the World Cup podium for the second occasion, a dubious first on their illustrious ledgers.

Barrett once again formed Canada's primary scoring triumvirate alongside Dillon Brooks (Houston) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The homegrown Knick closed the competition with three consecutive games with at least 20 points, earning 23 in the historic victory. His final trio served as True North dagger, a three-pointer that gave Canada a commanding nine-point lead.

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Barrett's triple and more helped stave off a near-miracle comeback for the United States, which forced overtime in jaw-dropping fashion: having worked their way back from a deficit that reached as high as 13, the Americans were down four with just over four seconds remaining and Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn) going to the line. Bridges sank the original shot and intentionally misfired on the second, leading to a self-rebound and a shocking corner three-pointer that forced an extra period for the bronze.  

With one last push from their tallying trio, however, Canada took the final five minutes by a 16-7 margin, putting them on a pace that would've yielded their third 30-point period of the night. To personify its defensive struggles, Team USA yielded at least 30 points in four of their final periods in Manila, including two in Friday's semifinal loss to Germany.

The Knicks' third-place battling trio posted mixed results: on the losing American side, Brunson picked up 13 points but once again struggled defensively, finishing with a minus-17 in the box score ahead of only leading scorer Anthony Edwards (Minnesota). Hart sank all four of his attempts from the field and was on pace to finish the game but fouled out, putting Brunson back in after he had been subbed at the points in favor of Tyrese Haliburton.

Rowan Alexander "RJ" Barrett Jr.#FIBAWC | @CanBball pic.twitter.com/hTRUrA0Alb

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 10, 2023

Barrett wound up coming up big throughout the game but lost three turnovers and was responsible for the fateful foul that put Bridges at the foul line at the end of regulation. He nonetheless made up for it with seven rebounds and a plus/minus in the black at 21, second-best on the team ahead of only Lu Dort (Oklahoma City).

In an effort that earned "MVP" chants from the crowd assembled at SM Mall of Asia Arena, Brooks did a little bit of everything, pairing a five-rebound, four-assist output with 37 points on 12-of-18 from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander completed the double-double with 31 points and 12 assists while also hauling in six rebounds. 

The American scoring was led by Edwards' 24 with Austin Reaves (LA Lakers) one behind him. Team USA was missing Paolo Banchero (Orlando), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans), and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis), all of whom were listed as out due to illness. Walker Kessler (Utah) appeared in the starting five in Jackson's place.

Both Canada and the United States have qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by virtue of standing as the top two finishing teams between North and South America. They'll be joined by Australia (Oceania), South Sudan (Africa), Japan (Asia), host France, and European finalists Germany and Serbia, who will play for World Cup gold later on Sunday (8:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2).

The FIBA Basketball World Cup will return in 2027. It'll be the third consecutive tournament held in Asia as Qatar, which previously hosted the FIFA World Cup last winter, follows China (2019) and the Indonesia-Japan-Philippines trio in this most recent go-around.