Lu Dort had an outstanding debut in Quebec City, scoring 25 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 26 points, leading Canada to a remarkable 97-92 triumph over Argentina in the FIBA men’s basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifier on Monday night. Over 13,000 fans witnessed the game at the Videotron Centre.
Canada, ranked fifth globally by FIBA, remains unbeaten in eight games and is set to face Uruguay in their next match on Nov. 26, followed by a rematch against Argentina three days later. The top three teams from the remaining America groups will secure spots in the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar, with the best fourth-place finisher also earning a chance to compete in Doha.
Despite Argentina’s Nicolas Laprovittola’s impressive 31-point performance, Lu Dort stole the spotlight with a strong start, scoring the first points of the game with a three-pointer. Although Argentina initially surged ahead, Canada managed to narrow the gap to 53-48 by halftime.
Canada’s head coach Gordie Herbert acknowledged their initial setback but praised the team for closing the gap in the first half. The Canadian team emerged more aggressive and physically dominant in the third quarter, outscoring Argentina 25-16, with veteran Kelly Olynyk playing a pivotal role under the basket.
In the final quarter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker guided Canada to victory with a commanding performance. Lu Dort, playing his first game since the NBA playoffs, initially felt rusty but regained his rhythm as the game progressed.
“I haven’t played competitively since the [NBA] playoffs, but I focused on my health over the summer and felt prepared for this game,” Dort shared with reporters post-game.