Team USA opened their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics with an emphatic 110-84 victory over Serbia. While the performance on the court was electrifying, the roster decisions off it sparked curiosity and conversation, especially surrounding the absence of Boston Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum.
Tatum, who played a pivotal role in leading Boston to a championship and earned All-NBA First Team honors this past season, logged zero minutes in the contest. This decision came as a surprise to many, considering that Tatum averaged 17.6 minutes in the five exhibition games leading up to the Olympics.
Durant's Return Shuffles Rotation
The notable development in the match was the return of Kevin Durant. Head coach Steve Kerr explained that Durant’s return was the primary reason behind Tatum’s unexpected benching. "I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He'll make his mark," Kerr stated. Durant, who missed the friendly matches prior to this game, took Tatum's spot in the rotation.
Despite Tatum's absence on the court, he showed professionalism and composure. When asked about his status, Tatum simply replied, "No, I'm good." This response suggests that he remains focused and supportive of the team's overall strategy.
Starting Lineup and Key Contributions
The starting lineup saw a blend of experience and skill with Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid taking the floor first. Curry and Booker’s sharpshooting, combined with LeBron James and Embiid’s inside presence, showcased an offensive arsenal that Serbia struggled to contain.
Joel Embiid, who had missed recent practices due to illness, played a crucial role in the victory, underscoring his importance to the team’s frontcourt depth. Additionally, Derrick White stepped up to run the point with the second unit, stabilizing the team’s play for the last two-and-a-half games.
However, not all was smooth sailing for Team USA’s roster. Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined and did not participate in the game against Serbia, further necessitating rotations and strategic adjustments from the coaching staff.
Upcoming Challenges
Team USA looks to build on this victory with upcoming games against South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET and Puerto Rico next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET. These matches will provide further opportunities for Tatum to re-integrate into the lineup and for the coaching staff to find the optimal rotation as the tournament progresses.
As the journey in Paris continues, the team’s depth and star power will be crucial. Kerr's approach in managing this abundance of talent will be instrumental in ensuring that Team USA remains on track for Olympic glory.