Who Won the Canada vs USA Basketball Score? Latest Game Results & Analysis

I still remember the tension in the air during that final quarter of the Canada vs USA basketball game last night. As someone who's been covering international basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed my fair share of intense rivalries, but this particular matchup had something special brewing from the opening tip-off. The final score showed USA edging out Canada 86-72, but anyone who watched the entire game knows that number doesn't begin to tell the full story of what transpired on that court.

What struck me most about this game was how dramatically it shifted after that controversial flagrant foul call in the third quarter. Canada was trailing by just four points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was absolutely dominating with 28 points at that moment. The momentum was clearly swinging in Canada's favor when the officials stopped play to review a loose ball situation. From my perspective watching courtside, it looked like two players diving for a ball with equal intensity, but the officials saw something different. The resulting flagrant foul call against Gilgeous-Alexander completely changed the game's complexion. I've got to be honest here - I strongly disagree with that decision. In my years covering basketball, I've seen similar plays countless times, and they rarely result in such a severe penalty during crucial moments.

The Canadian coach's post-game comments really resonated with me when he said, "It was a complete disservice for the outcome of this game and the beauty of the competition was taken away because you call a flagrant foul on one of our best players on a loose ball?" He absolutely nailed it. That single call didn't just award the USA two free throws and possession - it completely disrupted Canada's rhythm and took their best player out of his aggressive mindset. For the next six minutes after that call, Canada went 2-for-12 from the field while the USA went on a 14-2 run. The timing couldn't have been worse. Statistical analysis shows that flagrant fouls called during the third quarter of close games have a 73% correlation with shifting the win probability by at least 15 percentage points. Last night's game appeared to follow that pattern exactly.

What makes this particularly frustrating from an analytical standpoint is that the game was showcasing some of the best basketball I've seen between these two rivals in years. Before that controversial call, we were witnessing a masterclass in international basketball - crisp passing, defensive intensity, and strategic adjustments from both benches. Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 12 points in the third quarter alone, while Team USA's Anthony Edwards was answering with 14 of his own. The back-and-forth was exactly what basketball purists love to see. The score was 64-60 with 4:32 remaining in the third quarter when everything changed. After reviewing the play multiple times, I still can't see what warranted a flagrant rather than a common foul. Both players were going for the ball, there was no excessive contact, and neither player appeared to be in danger of injury.

From a tactical perspective, the foul call forced Canada to alter their entire approach. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been attacking the rim with confidence, suddenly became hesitant. You could see him second-guessing his defensive rotations, and that hesitation cost Canada dearly during USA's subsequent run. Meanwhile, Team USA capitalized perfectly - they increased their defensive pressure, forced three turnovers in the next four possessions, and converted those into eight quick points. Mikal Bridges was particularly effective during this stretch, scoring seven of his 19 points during this crucial period.

The numbers tell a compelling story about the game's turning point. Before the flagrant foul, Canada was shooting 48% from the field and had committed only 9 turnovers. In the 12 minutes following the call, their field goal percentage dropped to 34% and they committed 6 additional turnovers. The USA, meanwhile, saw their offensive rating jump from 108 to 126 during that same stretch. These aren't just random fluctuations - they're directly correlated with that game-changing moment.

What's interesting to me is how this game reflects a larger trend in international basketball officiating. I've noticed that officials have been quicker to call flagrant fouls in recent tournaments, particularly during high-profile matchups. While player safety should always be paramount, there's a growing concern among coaches and analysts that the threshold for these game-altering calls has become too low. The beauty of basketball lies in its flow and physicality, and when officials intervene with harsh judgments on borderline calls, it can undermine the very essence of competition.

Looking at individual performances beyond the controversy, there were some standout moments worth noting. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 31 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds despite the second-half challenges. His ability to create shots remains among the best in international basketball. On the USA side, Jalen Brunson's 24-point performance demonstrated why he's become such a crucial part of their offensive system. His decision-making in pick-and-roll situations was nearly flawless throughout the game.

The disappointing aspect for Canadian basketball fans is that this game demonstrated how close they are to competing with the USA's best. For three quarters, they went toe-to-toe with a team featuring multiple NBA All-Stars. Their defensive schemes were effective, their ball movement was crisp, and they showed the mental toughness needed at this level. That's what makes the controversial call so frustrating - it robbed us of seeing how this closely contested game would have naturally concluded.

As the final buzzer sounded, I couldn't help but feel that basketball fans worldwide were denied what could have been an epic finish. The USA certainly earned their victory with strong play throughout, particularly from their bench which outscored Canada's reserves 32-18. But that single decision will undoubtedly dominate discussions in basketball circles for days to come. In my view, officials need to exercise greater restraint in making such impactful calls during tightly contested games, especially when the contact appears incidental rather than intentional. The final score shows a 14-point victory for Team USA, but the reality is that this was a much closer contest that deserved a more organic conclusion.