NBA Finals: Spotlight on Canadian Olympians Teaming Up

OKLAHOMA CITY — The NBA Finals. East vs. West. Indiana vs. Oklahoma City. Canada vs. … Canada?

It certainly felt that way during Game 1 of the series — and chances are, we'll see similar instances as the Pacers go up against the Thunder for the remainder of their matchups.

READ: NBA Finals: Thunder Ready to Bounce Back Against Pacers in Game 2

In this series, we have four Canadians participating. Among these players—NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Thunder and Andrew Nembhard with the Pacers—their paths crossed frequently during Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander racked up an impressive 38 points, whereas Andrew Nembhard contributed eight out of his total 14 points in the final quarter. He remained on court throughout Indiana's remarkable 32-16 scoring spree which concluded the match, transforming what had been a substantial 15-point lag into just a single point lead at the end.

He's a rival. He's a champion," Gilgeous-Alexander stated. "He plays the game correctly at both ends of the court. Truly a great player. Yes, he definitely has what it takes to win. There's no question about that.

Since their childhood days, they've played together side by side and were partners representing Canada's national squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

I believe participating in the finals is an insane experience," Nembhard stated on Saturday. "Stepping out onto the court is what you dream about. The audience was incredible. The sound level was the highest I've experienced during a match. Everything seemed to align perfectly. My nervousness subsided, and it turned into a thrilling game.

In Game 1, he and Gilgeous-Alexander frequently crossed paths on either end of the court. They also didn't shy away from adding an occasional nudge or exchanging some heated comments. While nothing went too far, their interactions were intense enough to make clear that business was strictly being conducted.

NBA Finals overview: Timetable, viewing details, and betting probabilities

Simply two guys trying to come out victorious," Gilgeous-Alexander stated. "There was no ill will behind it; we were just eager to win.

Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin are among the top Canadian contenders in the finals. Together with their teammates, these four Canadian athletes scored an impressive total of 72 points in Game 1; this marks the highest number of points ever recorded in a single finals match by players hailing exclusively from one nation outside the United States.

This shattered the prior record for points scored by Canadians in a finals game; previously, it stood at 34, all contributed by Jamal Murray of Denver during Game 3 against Miami back in 2023.

"It's incredible for our nation," Nembhard stated.

READ: NBA Finals: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers shock Thunder in Game 1

Not only Gilgeous-Alexander but also Thunder forward Chet Holmgren have had prolonged time getting acquainted with Nembhard from their days playing together at Gonzaga.

Clearly, he's my guy, an excellent fellow," Holmgren stated. "I have numerous praises for him both as a basketball player and as a person. However, since we're currently facing him, I'll keep those thoughts to myself.

The Pacers' coach, Rick Carlisle, acknowledges that the confrontation between Gilgeous-Alexander and Nembhard could be seen by some as a mini-battle within the larger contest. According to him, Nembhard "thrives on the challenge" presented when going up against Gilgeous-Alexander.

I mean, you don't bench players nowadays," Carlisle stated. "The aim is to make things difficult for them. He has previously partnered with Shai on the national team, which means they share some history. Both hail from Canada and have faced off numerous times throughout their careers. However, facing someone of his caliber presents an unparalleled test; he’s even considered league MVP.

Share :