Tokyo Olympics: The Team USA men’s basketball squad sustained its second consecutive upset, losing to Australia in an Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills helped Australia with 22 points in the 91-83 win. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard led Team USA with 22 points.
Team USA entered the exhibition slate with a 54-2 record since 1992. The Americans now are losers of two such games in three days. Nigeria also beat Team USA 90-87 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
“These teams are experienced, and we are still working at becoming a team,” Lillard told reporters. “We’re not just going to roll the ball out and beat these teams.”
Tokyo Olympics: Team USA vs Australia Basketball Stats
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles scored 17 points for Australia. Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle and Goulding scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the win.
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant scored 17 points in the loss. Beal chipped in 12 points for Team USA.
“We have had close games against four or five international teams, and the good teams don’t get blown out,” Team USA coach Gregg Popovich told reporters.
Team USA battles France in the preliminary round of the Tokyo Olympics.
Tokyo Olympics: Who leads Team USA Basketball in Points, Assists, and Rebounds?
Tokyo Olympics: Bradley Beal out due to Health and Safety Concerns
“A member of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team has been placed under USA Basketball’s health and safety protocols,” the federation announced in a statement Wednesday afternoon, without identifying the player involved.
Wizards star Bradley Beal has entered health and safety protocols at Team USA camp, placing his return to play status up in the air, sources tell me and @joevardon.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 15, 2021
USA Basketball could still replace Beal before heading to Tokyo. The Americans picked their 12-man team last month but noted that it may change if necessary.
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