NBA Great Charles Barkley hoped to celebrate his birthday with a victory at Team USA on Thursday Showdown of the four countries final. Instead, Canada defeated the Americans with a thrilling overtime victory.
But it was Berkley who gave the final laugh.
Charles Barkley smiles after a match between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on June 12, 2024. (Jo Murphy/nbae via Getty Images)
“Inside the NBA” aired on TNT on Thursday, Berkley celebrated The Canadians won.
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“Congratulations to Canada – we got your tariffs,” he said before adding, “it was a great hockey game.”
The statement prompted Berklee co-hosts to laugh in entertainment, but no Hall of Fame was made.
“They played hard for the tariffs and they didn't want to be the 51st state. That's a motive.”
The Canadian player will celebrate Nathan McKinnon's goal in the first period of the 4 Nations faceoff championship hockey game, which will face the US in Boston on Thursday, February 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Justin Trudeau sends us a fiery message after the four Canadian countries win
Thursday's final came amid rising political tensions between the two countries.
President Donald Trump A Canadian lawmaker teased the country about becoming the “51st state.” He also openly called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “governor” of Canada, threatening a series of tariffs.
This strength led to Canadian fans booing the American national anthem before two games in the tournament.
Team USA Forward Matthew Tokachuk, #19 celebrates with Team USA Forward Orton Matthew, #34, his goal against Team Finland in the third term in the 4 Nations face-off ice hockey game at Bell Center . (Imaginary of David Kirouac-Imagan)
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Canadian star Conor McDavid scored overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory and the ultimate bragging rights.
“You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,” he said in an X post after the game.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News contributed to this report.
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