Team USA’s men’s basketball team, whom many have called a dream team, has been upset by Nigeria and Australia in pre-Olympic play. However, they seem to have found a rhythm with a 108-80 win over Argentina in their third exhibition game.
Snapping their losing streak has spread hope across the country, but for Celtics fans, it is bittersweet. Boston forward Jayson Tatum was scratched out of the game’s lineup with right knee soreness. He is considered day-to-day, but reports say the injury is not serious.
Tatum has collected 23 points in a USA jersey so far, and luckily, the rest of the team seems to be heating up while we wait for his return to the court.
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal may have had a slow start in preparation for Tokyo, but racked up 17 points each against Argentina. Along with KD and Beal was Zach LaVine, who was in for Tatum and finished with 15.
With these three helping push Team USA forward, they confirmed Gregg Popovich’s thoughts on where they stand.
“These moments to play these games are huge for us,” said Popovich in a post-game conference. “It was better. Bit by bit every day, I hope”.
Popovich and his team are back on Friday for a rematch against Australia at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN. It is unclear whether Jayson Tatum will be back in the lineup, but Celtics fans should be hopeful since he was said to be rested out of precaution.
(Photo of Jayson Tatum/Ned Dishman/Getty Images)