JAKARTA, Indonesia (Aug. 26, 2023) – Canada continues on at the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2023 on Sunday.

Who: Canada (1-0) vs. Lebanon (0-1)

When: Sunday, Aug. 27, 5:45 a.m. ET / 2:45 a.m. PT

Where: Indonesia Arena - Jakarta, Indonesia

Things to know heading into Sunday’s game against Lebanon

- Statement game: Canada opened the FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup 2023 by putting the rest of the basketball world on notice with a dominant 95-65 blowout victory against France. Led by a 27-point, 13-rebound, six-assist, two-steal performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadians shocked a France team that is currently ranked fifth in the world. They are also the reigning silver medallists from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

“It felt good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Most importantly we got a dub. We won, we did what we came here to do. [It’s] still only one game, we have a lot to look forward to, to accomplish, to do. But it's a good start.”

Team Canada head coach Jordi Fernández was pleased with how the team stayed together after a slow start that saw the team trailing by four after the opening quarter, and taking a three-point lead into the half.

“I think Shai just said it,” Fernáandez said. “We accomplished our first goal, which was to play hard for 48 minutes, and whether things are going one way or another, to stay together. I think the guys showed resilience. We didn't start very well. We took good shots but they didn't go in. We stayed with it and then in the second half, our pressure, our physicality, and shots started to fall, which is what helped us. It’s only one win. This is a long tournament. Our guys understand the importance of playing every single game so the most important thing now is Game 2.”

‍- That third-quarter: After leading 43-40 at the half, Canada’s defence took over in the third as they outscored France 25-8 in the quarter, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s 13 points as he outscored France himself. Just as they did during their five-game exhibition slate, Canada dialled up their defence in the third quarter to rattle their opponent and pull away. 

 “Our defence really kept us in the game,” Fernández said. “The second half, we continued our defence and made some shots. Shai put a run together for himself and that really opened up the game.”

Gilgeous-Alexander’s 13 points in the third helped Canada to build a 20-point lead, 68-48, heading into the fourth quarter. The victory came with an exclamation mark as it communicated to the rest of the teams at the World Cup that the Canadians are ready to compete.

‍- Looking ahead to Lebanon: While Canada opened its World Cup campaign with a bang, things were a bit different for Lebanon who dropped a 109-70 decision to Latvia on Friday. While Lebanon shot 44 percent from the floor and made 7-of-24 three-pointers, Latvia was on fire from start to finish, shooting 59 percent from the floor and making 18-of-35 three-pointers (51 percent) as they led by double figures after the opening 10 minutes and continued to roll from there. Latvia leared they would be without Kristaps Porzingis due to a foot injury, but a shorthanded roster made little difference on Friday as Latvia turned the ball over just five times and recorded 34 assists on 41 field goals. Sergio El Darwich led Lebanon with 19 points, and Omari Rasulala Spellman added 18 points in the loss. 

Extra assists:

- Shai’s world: Not only did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finish with a game-high 27 points to go with a game-high 13 rebounds and six assists, he did so while going scoreless over the first quarter of the game. Despite his slow start, Gilgeous-Alexander set a new record for most points by a Canadian in their World Cup debut, overtaking Dwight Walton’s 26 points set during the 1990 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup.

While Gilgeous-Alexander’s points and rebounds jumped off the page, Fernández was most pleased with the way his point guard led the entire game. “To me, the most impressive thing isn’t the 27 points he scored, or the +31 [he posted],” he said. “The most impressive thing is he led the game in rebounding and he had a six assist to one turnover ratio which is very, very impressive. Not just scoring but dominating the game with defence, finishing possessions, with playmaking and not turning it over. You guys can see here, a guy that is going to be the MVP of this world cup. But it's again just one game. He’s going to do it again next game and the next game and the next game.”

- Forward focus: Fernández wanted his team to savor the feeling of Friday’s victory. It was Canada’s first World Cup victory against France in program history as well as France’s first 30-point loss in a World Cup game since 1963.

After taking some time to enjoy their performance, Fernández and the rest of his coaching staff will have the team quickly shifting their focus to Sunday’s matchup against Lebanon. “The most important game of your life is your next game,” Fernández told the media following Canada’s victory. Still, he was glad that the team got to see the results of the work they’ve put in over the past 25 days since beginning training camp in Toronto to start the month.

“It’s always good to be rewarded when you’ve been working so hard,” he said. “I give these guys all the credit in the world. When everybody tells you, the outside noise, of how good you are and you work and show it and you play this hard, you’ve got to enjoy it. My job is to get them ready for the next game…We know why we’re here and that next game, that’s going to be our lives.”

- Where to watch: Fans in Canada can catch all of the action live on Sportsnet, as well as streaming on SN NOW. Fans abroad can also cheer on the team via Courtside 1891.