USA Basketball began their journey to the Paris Olympics with a strong win against Canada, securing an 86-72 victory in their exhibition opener. The team showcased a promising performance with key players such as Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry leading the charge. Davis contributed 13 points, while Curry added 12 to the scoreboard. Jrue Holiday and Anthony Edwards also made valuable contributions with 11 and 10 points respectively.
The game saw Canada’s RJ Barrett scoring 12 points, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks each adding 10 points to their team’s tally. The presence of notable figures such as President Barack Obama, NBA coaches, and USA Basketball dignitaries added to the excitement of the event, which drew a record attendance of 20,757 spectators at the T-Mobile Arena.
Despite a slow start that saw the U.S. trailing 11-1 in the first quarter, they quickly turned the game around, outscoring Canada 40-22 in the remainder of the first half. The team’s second unit, consisting of Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum, displayed exceptional teamwork and coordination, outscoring Canada by a significant margin.
The absence of key players such as Kevin Durant and Derrick White did not deter the U.S. team from delivering a strong performance. Coach Steve Kerr’s starting lineup featured top players like Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid, setting the tone for the team’s strategy in the upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the U.S. is set to face Australia in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in their next exhibition match. The team’s preparations for the Paris Olympics are off to a promising start, with a solid win against Canada setting the stage for their upcoming challenges on the road to the prestigious event. Stay tuned for more updates on USA Basketball’s journey towards the Summer Olympics in Paris.