After an outstanding performance (before a fourth-quarter ejection) in Wednesday’s quarterfinal win at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks made headlines by shadow boxing in the arena tunnel — complete with boxing gloves — as he awaited his Canadian teammates to exit the floor postgame.
Unfortunately for Brooks, there was no opportunity for him to repeat that celebration Friday. Canada fell to Serbia, 95-86 (box score), in the World Cup semifinals. With 16 points and 3 rebounds, Brooks finished as his team’s second-leading scorer. He shot 5-of-12 overall (41.7%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%).
Buy Rockets TicketsThere was, however, a celebration for second-year Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic. In light-hearted trolling, the Serbian starter did his own postgame shadow-boxing act in that same tunnel.
Canada will conclude its World Cup run with a showdown in Sunday’s bronze-medal game against the United States, which lost to Germany in another upset on Friday night. That could mean a perimeter matchup of Brooks versus Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.
Until then, here’s a look back at highlights, analysis, interviews and postgame reaction from Canada’s disappointing loss Friday.
Dillon Brooks, Canada vs. Serbia
Nikola Jovic did the Dillon Brooks shadow-boxing celebration after Serbia knocked out Canada from the FIBA World Cup! 😂🥊
Brooks did it in the same tunnel, the other day, after Canada beat Slovenia! pic.twitter.com/pAN1TfL5sO
— NBA Buzz (@OfficialNBABuzz) September 8, 2023
Dillon Brooks’ stats in Canada’s loss to Serbia:
16 PTS | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL
5/12 FG
3/8 3PT
3/3 FTHe ended the tournament on a good note. pic.twitter.com/S86Uows0Nt
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) September 8, 2023
All of team Canada avoided the mixed zone after loss to Serbia.
(via @GrantAfseth)pic.twitter.com/swYTsmm2eo
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 8, 2023
Here's the 1-on-1 conversation with head coach Jordi Fernandez after Canada's semi-final loss to Serbia.
On the message to the players after, where it went wrong, the whistles and how they get up for a bronze medal game on Sunday — pic.twitter.com/hrs1JmZZsO
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) September 8, 2023
Dillon Brooks finished with 16 points on 5-12 shooting and 3-8 from 3 in the loss.pic.twitter.com/LqM7YYmU1Z
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) September 8, 2023
Cue the Dillon Brooks 'Redemption Tour' 🥊 pic.twitter.com/DolToZjAOX
— No Dunks (@NoDunksInc) September 7, 2023
Dillon Brooks says he’s the best in the world 😳
(via @SportalgrG) pic.twitter.com/QtXs9KfyJZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 7, 2023
Richard Jefferson just showed a Houston Rockets player(Dillon Brooks) love. Lol what is going on??! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/H6F5zebXEz
— Ike franchise (@IkeCuellar) September 7, 2023
Alright I’m ready to eat crow on disliking the Dillon Brooks signing. I don’t know if it’s realistic to expect the Team Canada version of Dillon Brooks to be the same player who shows up for the Houston Rockets, but it’ll be a pleasant surprise if that’s what happens. https://t.co/Fw5alYV9fV
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) September 6, 2023
