Canada and Spain face off Friday with a chance to clinch the top spot in Group A.
Canada has looked as dominant as advertised, going into the 2024 Paris Olympics as the favorite to challenge the United States for a gold medal. It has gotten out to a perfect 2-0 record behind convincing wins over Greece and Australia, and will now be put to the test against a quality Spain team.
Spain stands in with a 1-1 record, defeating Greece but losing to Australia. A win over Canada would also decide the group after Greece upset Australia earlier this morning.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett have powered Canada’s success, but its frontcourt has been a cause for concern. Spanish forward Santi Aldama has been one of the breakout players of the tournament, averaging 23.0 points per game. Only Barrett (23.5 PPG) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (27.0 PPG) are averaging more.
Which team will secure the Group A crown? The Sporting News has you covered with live updates, highlights and more from Canada’s final Group Stage game against Spain below.
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Canada vs. Spain basketball live score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| Canada | 19 | 30 | 15 | ||
| Spain | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Canada vs. Spain live updates, highlights from 2024 Olympic men’s basketball
Fourth quarter
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 R.J. 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.: R.J. 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. R.J. 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, R.J. 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.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| July 27 | Canada 86, Greece 79 | — | — |
| July 30 | Canada 93, Australia 83 | — | — |
| Aug. 2 | Canada vs. Spain | 10:15 a.m. | CBC, Fubo |
