Charles Barkley takes aim at Canada after 4 Nations victory: ‘They didn’t want to be the 51st state’
Political tensions between the US and Canada served as the backdrop to Thursday's final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NBA great Charles Barkley was hoping to celebrate his birthday on Thursday with a victory for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. Instead, Canada defeated the Americans in a thrilling overtime victory.
However, it was Barkley who might have had the last laugh.
Charles Barkley smiles after the game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks during Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 12, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
During Thursday’s broadcast of "Inside the NBA" on TNT, Barkley congratulated the Canadians on their victory.
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"Congratulations to Canada – I’m sorry we got the tariffs on you," he quipped before adding, "It was a great hockey game."
The remark prompted Barkley’s co-hosts to laugh in amusement, but the Hall of Famer was not done.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"They were playing harder because of the tariffs, and they didn’t want to be the 51st state. That’s motivation."
Canada players celebrate after a goal by Nathan MacKinnon during the first period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game against the United States on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
JUSTIN TRUDEAU SENDS FIERY MESSAGE TO US AFTER CANADA'S 4 NATIONS WIN
Thursday’s final came amid heightened political tensions between the two nations.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}President Donald Trump teased Canadian lawmakers about the country becoming its "51st state." He also openly called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the "governor" of Canada and threatened a series of tariffs.
The intensity led to Canadian fans booing the American national anthem before two games in the tournament – something several Team USA players took personally.
Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk, #19, celebrates with Team USA forward Auston Matthews, #34, his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Canadian star Connor McDavid scored in overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory and ultimate bragging rights, which Trudeau wasted no time in taking part in.
"You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game," he said in a post on X after the game.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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