Illustration of NBA MVP Jokic Leads Serbia Against Team USA: What to Expect

NBA MVP Jokic Leads Serbia Against Team USA: What to Expect

Is that Nikola Jokic’s music?! The three-time Kia NBA MVP leads Serbia against Team USA today at 12 ET on FS1.

THE LINEUP 🏀

What’s inside today’s edition?

USA vs. Serbia: Team USA faces Serbia in a preview of the Olympic Group Phase opener.

Teammates To Opponents: G League Ignite teammates meet for the first time as pros.

Lottery Bigs Clash: Two seven-footers drafted in the top seven last month squared off.

Rookie Photoshoot Day 1: A first look at the 2024 Draft class in their new threads.

What To Watch: USAB Showcase, Nike Peach Jam, Summer League, Reddit AMA, and more…

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Tuesday’s scores and what’s ahead today…

USA vs. Serbia (Noon ET, FS1): Team USA’s third tune-up game before the Paris Olympics is against Nikola Jokic and Serbia, who will also be their first opponents in the Group Phase.

Top Two in W Collide: The Liberty extended their lead atop the WNBA standings by defeating the second-place Sun 82-74, led by Sabrina Ionescu’s 30 points.

Remembering Joe Bryant: The NBA mourns the passing of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (1954-2024), who played eight seasons with the 76ers, Clippers, and Rockets and was a WNBA head coach for the Sparks.

1. TEAM USA FACES SERBIA IN OLYMPIC PREVIEW

Team USA is back on the court today at 12 ET on FS1 for the third of five exhibition games leading up to the Paris Olympics.

Today’s opponent, Serbia, will also be Team USA’s first matchup in the Olympic Group Phase, with both teams in Group C along with South Sudan and Puerto Rico.

The Americans are coming off a 98-92 win over Australia on Monday, where they led by as many as 24 points before holding off a late comeback attempt by the Aussies. Serbia also faced Australia in the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi, falling 84-73 despite a double-double from NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and a solid performance from Hornets guard Vasilije Micic.

The Americans had Tuesday off in Abu Dhabi but still delivered some fun moments.

No Shot He Can’t Make: Steph Curry somehow hit a sidearm shot from his seat on the sidelines.

Storytime: Jayson Tatum and LeBron James discussed Tatum’s dunk on LeBron in the 2018 Eastern Finals, reminiscing about a request for an autograph that Tatum made back in the day.

Next Stop: London for two final exhibition games in the USA Basketball Showcase before the team heads to Paris for the Olympics. Opening Ceremonies are set for Friday, July 26, with Team USA opening the Group Phase on Sunday, July 28.

USA Basketball Showcase in London:

Saturday, July 20: USA vs. South Sudan (3 ET, FOX)
Monday, July 22: USA vs. Germany (3 ET, FOX)

2. SUMMER LEAGUE DAY 5: FORMER IGNITE TEAMMATES MEET

Pistons 85, Bulls 77: Former G League Ignite teammates Ron Holland II and Matas Buzelis put on a show as Detroit and Chicago’s respective lottery picks went back-and-forth. The Bulls led most of the way before the Pistons stormed back in the 4th quarter to get the win.

Buzelis On Facing Holland: “It’s cool to battle against him, but we’re not friends right now, we’re just playing. We’ll talk after the game about it.”

Igniting The Arena: Just two minutes after Holland II took flight for a two-handed poster, Buzelis responded with a two-handed alley-oop.

Pacers 98, Suns 94: Jarace Walker and rookie Johnny Furphy combined for 37 points as the Pacers closed on a 16-8 run to beat the Suns.

Nets 92, Knicks 85: Jalen Wilson led all scorers with 27 points, including a dagger three-pointer in the final seconds, as the Nets rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to stun the Knicks.

Hornets 80, Nuggets 66: Charlotte’s Tidjane Salaun recorded a double-double in just 19 minutes, helping the Hornets remain unbeaten with a win over the Nuggets.

3. SUMMER LEAGUE DAY 5: LOTTERY BIG MEN MEET IN VEGAS

Blazers 82, Wizards 80: Bryce McGowens followed up his 20-point game against Philly with 19 points to lead the Blazers past the Wizards.

Battle Of Lottery Bigs: Donovan Clingan outdueled Alex Sarr in a matchup of top-seven picks.

Draft Connection: Bub Carrington, traded from the Blazers to the Wizards on Draft day, led Washington with 20 points.

76ers 92, Timberwolves 90: Jared McClain had his best scoring night of Summer League with 21 points, helping the Sixers hold off the Timberwolves.

Clippers 112, Bucks 97: Jordan Miller continued his hot summer with 23 points as the Clippers remained unbeaten.

Spurs 90, Pelicans 85: Riley Minix, Donovan Williams, and Jamaree Bouyea helped the Spurs stay perfect in Vegas with a win over the Pelicans.

4. DAY 1 AT THE ROOKIE PHOTOSHOOT

Get a first look at the 2024 NBA Draft class in their new uniforms and join our all-access team for Day 1 of the Summer League Rookie Photoshoot in Las Vegas.

5. WHAT TO WATCH: NIKE PEACH JAM, SUMMER LEAGUE, REDDIT AMA & MORE

The USAB Showcase against Serbia isn’t the only event to watch on Wednesday.

The 2024 Nike Peach Jam, the culmination of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit in Augusta, S.C., features some of the top high school prospects and can be streamed through July 21 on the NBA App, NBA.com, and NBA YouTube.

Several NBA stars have showcased their talent at Nike Peach Jam, including Jayson Tatum, Julius Randle, and Trae Young. Meet the next generation of players and get caught up on the high school hoops tournament.

Need-To-Know Numbers: Check out the current Peach Jam standings and stat leaders.

Player Spotlight: Luke Akinsola’s five players to watch going into the 2024 Nike Peach Jam.

2023 Lookback: Select Team member Cooper Flagg put on a show at last year’s Peach Jam.

On the professional stage, Caitlin Clark and the Fever face Arike Ogunbowale and the Wings in prime time, and today’s eight-game Summer League slate in Las Vegas tips off at 3 ET, when the unbeaten Heat take on the Mavs.

Plus, join your favorite NBA rookies as they answer your questions. Tune in for a live Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) where the 2024 Draft class answers questions submitted by fans at 6 ET.

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