Canada vs. Spain final score, results: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada out of ‘group of death’ in a thriller | Sporting News Canada

Canada emerges from the “group of death” at the Olympic men’s basketball tournament — but not without a battle against Spain.

Going into Friday’s contest, Canada had already clinched a spot in the eight-team knockout round, but a win secured the Group A crown. Spain needed a victory to keep its medal hopes alive.

Both teams played with the urgency of what was at stake, resulting in a thrilling 88-85 win for Canada in one of the best games of the Olympics so far.

Canada’s three-headed monster of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett and Andrew Nembhard led the charge to keep its team in command but Spain’s late push made things interesting. Dario Brizuela nearly willed his country to victory, catching fire with 16 points in the fourth quarter alone to give Spain a chance.

Canada held on in the final seconds to earn one of the top seeds in the knockout round, sending Spain home before the quarterfinals.

If you missed any of the action from this thriller, Sporting News had you covered with live updates, highlights and more below.

MORE: Why Steve Kerr continues to change USA Basketball’s starting lineups

Canada vs. Spain basketball final score

Canada vs. Spain live updates, highlights from 2024 Olympic men’s basketball

Final: Canada 88, Spain 85

1:06 p.m.: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made both free throws and Sergio Llull’s halfcourt heave was well short. Canada survives and wins Group A!

SGA’s 20 points led all scorers but Canada could not have finished the job without contributions from Andrew Nembhard (18 points) and RJ Barrett (16 points). Spain’s dominance on the glass and Dario Brizuela’s 16-point fourth-quarter explosion made things interesting but it wasn’t enough. Spain has been eliminated from the tournament.

1:01 p.m.: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made one of two free throws and Sergio Llull hit a clutch 3-pointer on an offensive rebound and kick-out from Jamie Pradilla! Spain trails Canada 86-85 with three seconds remaining. Canada just needs to play keep away out of the timeout and it can seal this game.

12:59 p.m.: Jamie Pradilla cleaned up Sergio Llull’s miss to keep Spain alive. Canada leads 85-82 with 16 seconds to play as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander heads to the free throw line.

12:58 p.m.: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives and kicks out to RJ Barrett, who buries a massive 3-pointer. Canada relied on its top dogs with the game on the line and it paid off. Canada leads 85-80 with 39 seconds remaining.

12:56 p.m.: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got called on a leg-kick offensive foul on a 3-point attempt and Alex Abrines knocked down one of two free throws in a big spot. Spain trails Canada 82-80 with under a minute to go.

12:52 p.m.: DARIO BRIZUELA! He is absolutely engulfed in flames as he buries another triple for his 12th point of the fourth quarter. Spain got a stop on the next possession and made one free throw on the other end. Canada leads Spain 80-77 with 2:18 to play.

12:49 p.m.: You can feel the urgency from Spain, who needs to win this game to advance in the Olympics. It is picking up the pace on offense and full-court pressing Canada on defense. Canada leads Spain 78-73 with 3:24 remaining.

12:44 p.m.: Canada responded well to Dario Brizuela’s heater. Dillon Brooks scored a pair of buckets and Andrew Nembhard added two more points on a midrange jumper to keep Canada in front 74-67 with 5:50 to play.

12:40 p.m.: Dario Brizuela has caught fire for Spain. He has all nine of his country’s points in the fourth quarter as Spain trails Canada 70-65 with seven minutes remaining in the game. 

End of third quarter: Canada 64, Spain 56

12:36 p.m.: Spain won the third quarter but Canada weathered its comeback to take an eight-point lead going into the fourth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to two points in the frame after a big first half. Andrew Nembhard and RJ Barrett picked up the slack on offense but Spain started to see a few 3s go through to trim the deficit.

12:29 p.m.: Spain continues to hang around. Alex Abrines buries a timely 3-pointer to cut Canada’s lead to six, 59-53, with 2:43 to play in the quarter. Timeout Canada.

12:22 p.m.: RJ Barrett is starting to get going for Canada. After a quiet first half, he’s up to nine points with five in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Canada leads Spain 59-50 with four minutes to play in the frame.

Halftime: Canada 49, Spain 38

12:01 p.m.: Canada closed the half on a 15-6 run to take an 11-point lead into the half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has provided the spark for Canada, scoring 13 points without breaking a sweat. Willy Hernangomez’s eight points lead Spain, doing most of his work on the offensive glass.

Spain’s 20-15 rebound advantage (9-4 OREB) is keeping them in this game but Canada’s variety of offensive weapons is giving them fits.

11:57 a.m.: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just too good. He buries a 3-pointer on one end to break Spain’s 3-2 zone, then picks Sergio Llull’s pocket for a breakaway dunk immediately after. Canada has its largest lead of the game at 45-36 with a minute to go in the half.

11:49 a.m.: It feels like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could score any time he wants. Spain is starting to double-team him on every touch but it hasn’t affected the prolific scorer yet.

SGA has eight points but Spain is sticking around because of their work on the offensive glass. Canada leads 38-32 with 3:24 remaining in the half after a Dillon Brooks triple forces a Spain timeout.

11:43 a.m.: Canada had been waiting for Andrew Nembhard to get going and he’s heating up in the second quarter. Nembhard hit a pair of 3-pointers early in the frame and leads the team with eight points. Canada is up 30-26 with 6:29 to play in the half.

End of first quarter: Canada 19, Spain 19

11:34 a.m.: Lorenzo Brown hit a midrange jumper at the buzzer and we’re all square after one quarter. RJ Barrett and Santi Aldama entered this game as the two leading scorers but were both held scoreless in the first frame.

11:32 a.m.: Sergio Llull with a four-point play to give Spain the lead! The 36-year-old got the 3-point shot to fall after being fouled by Jamal Murray.

11:28 a.m.: Spain started the game 0-for-6 from 3 but still managed to hang tight with Canada in the early minutes. Alex Abrines finally got one to fall but Canada leads Spain, 12-11, with three minutes to play in the quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks have five points apiece to lead Canada.

11:26 a.m.: Something interesting to note: Kelly Olynyk and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were the first two players off the bench for Canada. Star guard Jamal Murray subbed in as the eighth man.

11:22 a.m.: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a matchup nightmare for Spain. It is starting with Xabi Lopez-Arostegui on the Canadian superstar. Meanwhile, Canada is calling on Luguentz Dort to slow down Santi Aldama, who has been one of the tournament’s top scorers.

11:17 a.m.: Willy Hernangomez is the first to score and we’re underway!

Pregame

11:15 a.m.: Spain will start Lorenzo Brown, Alex Abrines, Xabi Lopez-Arostegui, Santi Aldama and Willy Hernangomez.

11:15 a.m.: Canada will start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, RJ Barrett and Dwight Powell.

How to watch Canada vs. Spain at 2024 Paris Olympics

• Date: Friday, Aug. 2
• Time: 11:15 a.m. ET
• TV channel (Canada): CBC
• Livestream (USA): Peacock, Fubo
• Livestream (Canada): CBC Gem, Fubo

Fans in the United States can stream Canada vs. Spain on Peacock or Fubo.

Fans in Canada can watch Canada take on Spain on CBC. For those streaming the game, CBC Gem and Fubo are also available.

MORE: 2024 men’s Olympic basketball standings: Updated scores, results

Canada basketball Olympic schedule 2024

Team Canada plays as part of Group A, which includes Australia, Greece and Spain.

Below is their schedule, which began on Saturday, July 27.