Trey Lyles, Canada eliminated in Olympic Quarterfinals

Aug 6, 2024, 12:58 PM

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 06: Trey Lyles #8 of Team Canada defends Victor Wembanyama #32 of Team Franc...

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Sactown Sports writer

Tuesday’s Olympic five-on-five basketball quarterfinals have been action-packed. The Sacramento King’s lone representative in the games, Canada’s Trey Lyles, was unable to mount a comeback, falling to the home country, France, 82-73.

Led by Jordi Fernandez, Canada participated in four games, with their initial group consisting of Greece, Australia, and Spain.

Often electing to play small and switch everything defensively, Trey Lyles played tallied just eight points throughout 44 total minutes of action.

Trey Lyles with Canada:

vs. Greece: 14 MIN | 0 PTS | 0/2 FG | 3 REB | 1 AST
vs. Australia: 7 MIN | 3 PTS | 1/3 FG | 1 AST
vs. Spain: 11 MIN | 3 PTS | 1/4 FG | 1 REB | 1 AST
vs. France: 12 MIN | 2 PTS | 0/2 FG | 3 REB

Total: 8 pts in 44 mins on 2/11 FG | 1/4 3P pic.twitter.com/EjjMr1Hj2A

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) August 6, 2024

Dwight Powell and Kelly Olynyk participated in what may have been their last Olympic tournament for Team Canada, and their veteran experience with the squad may have given them the rotational edge over Lyles.

While there is minimal reason for concern regarding his 2024-25 NBA season, it would have been ideal to see Lyles given added opportunity and excel in his moments on the floor.

Former Sacramento head coach Fernandez, who was hired as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets this offseason, shared his perspective on their shortcomings against France postgame.

“We didn’t match their energy and physicality,” he told reporters in France. “Offensively, I thought it was our most selfish game. We didn’t share the ball.”

Canada had 14 assists to 14 turnovers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his squad with 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 9/19 shooting.

For the French, Guerschon Yabusele (22) and Isaïa Cordinier (20) combined for 44 points, while Evan Fournier added 15 points off the bench, including what may have been the biggest shot of the night to secure a victory in the closing moments.

What a shot from Evan Fournier to likely put this one away!

Gotta love the energy from the crowd in France. pic.twitter.com/014BCHZXZV

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) August 6, 2024

More on Trey Lyles & Canada basketball at the 2024 Olympics

Lyles, 28, just put the finishing touches on another solid season for the Kings.

Over 58 games, the 6’9 forward averaged 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range.

MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlights a talent pool that also includes Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk, RJ Barrett, Lu Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dwight Powell, and NBA champion guard Jamal Murray.

Canada brings the most current NBA players (10) of any country outside the US to the Olympics.

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?

The dog days of the NBA offseason have arrived.

Sacramento will continue to look to add to its roster before players report for training camp at the end of September. The Kings currently have one open roster spots that General Manager Monte McNair must fill in the coming weeks and months.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Sacramento Kings news on player signings, trades, game recaps, and more for the upcoming season.

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