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Knicks News: Team USA to face Italy, RJ Barrett and Canada end drought

By Jordanna Clark

Spain's Dario Brizuela (L) shoots as Canada's RJ Barrett tries to block him during the FIBA Basketball World Cup group L match between Spain and Canada at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on September 3, 2023. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain's Dario Brizuela (L) shoots as Canada's RJ Barrett tries to block him during the FIBA Basketball World Cup group L match between Spain and Canada at Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on September 3, 2023. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The United States had their toughest World Cup challenge on Sunday in their final game of the second round. Facing an undefeated Lithuanian team, the U.S. couldn’t get it together and lost their first game, 110-104.

Team USA still qualified for the Paris Olympics and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face Italy on Tuesday at 8:40 a.m. ET. The game will be available on ESPN2 or streamed with a seven-day free trial with fuboTV. If the United States loses, they’ll be eliminated from the World Cup.

RJ Barrett and Canada fared much better than the United States on Sunday. Facing elimination against the defending World Cup champions, Canada knocked off Spain, 88-85. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points, shooting 14-of-16 from the free-throw line. Barrett added 16 points (6-of-12), five rebounds, and one assist.

Canada clinched a spot in the Paris Olympics and will represent their country for the first time since the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. It was a special moment for Barrett, who grew up with his dad’s Olympic jersey on his wall.

Canada will play Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET in the quarterfinals.

More Knicks news

  • In less than a month, 2023-24 NBA training camps will open. Read more here to learn about key preseason dates.
  • One of New York’s division rivals was listed as a “dark horse” for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it’s less than likely he’ll be traded or sign there.
  • SNY’s David Vertsberger wrote about five star players the Knicks could target this season if they’re made available.

NBA news

  • As they did last offseason, the Bucks signed and waived Alex Antetokounmpo on Friday to obtain his G League rights. The 22-year-old is one of three Antetokounmpo brothers in Milwaukee.
  • Jimmy Butler told a reporter at the U.S. Open, “I don’t care about the World Cup.” Butler was approached to give a comment but declined to say anything more than that. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is one of Team USA’s assistant coaches.
  • In an open gym session in New York, former Knick Obi Toppin, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young put in work together.
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