Team USA Basketball overcame a strong late push from Australia to secure its second exhibition victory as the squad continues its pre-Olympics schedule.
The United States previously defeated Canada 86-72 on Wednesday in the first game of the USA Basketball Showcase in Las Vegas. On Monday, they held off the Australian Boomers 98-92 in a game that tightened in the final minutes.
Australia’s robust defense highlighted Team USA’s weaknesses in the fourth quarter, causing turnovers and missed shots. However, clutch shots from Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker enabled the U.S. to maintain their lead and clinch the win.
Team USA will have played a total of five games together during the showcase before heading to the Paris Olympics in 2024. After two games in Abu Dhabi, they will continue with two games in London before their first Olympic group stage match on July 28.
The next game for Team USA is against Serbia in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, July 17, starting at noon ET on FS1.
United States 98, Australia 92
Clutch free throws from Devin Booker secured a win for Team USA despite a late rally from Australia. The U.S. will go on to face Serbia in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Jock Landale’s effort keeps Australia in the game
Landale scored quickly off an inbound play and added a free throw for his 20th point of the game, narrowing Australia’s deficit to four points with seconds remaining.
Booker adds to the lead with a jumper
With 30 seconds left, Booker hit a mid-range jumper, giving Team USA a nine-point buffer as Australia threatened.
Haliburton breaks U.S. scoring drought
Indiana Pacers’ Haliburton made consecutive corner 3-pointers after a scoring drought to extend the U.S. lead to 92-81.
Australia closes the gap
The Boomers cut the deficit significantly due to U.S. turnovers and missed shots, narrowing the lead to 86-80 with five minutes left.
U.S. leads after three quarters
Heading into the fourth quarter, Team USA led 76-61 with Curry, Edwards, Tatum, James, and Davis on the floor.
Turnovers trouble the U.S.
Australia went on a 14-2 run fueled by U.S. turnovers, bringing the U.S. total to 12 turnovers late in the third quarter.
Derrick White yet to debut
White has not yet played, despite the U.S. leading 67-53 as the third quarter nears its end.
U.S. leads big at halftime
At halftime, Team USA leads Australia 53-37 at Etihad Arena.
Joel Embiid hits a 3-pointer
Embiid drained a 3-pointer to keep the U.S. lead growing and continue the team’s strong shooting performance.
U.S. capitalizing on free throws
Seven minutes into the second quarter, Team USA was perfect from the free-throw line, leading 46-30.
Curry ends scoring drought with a 3-pointer
A deep three from Curry followed an Australian 7-0 run, helping the U.S. regain momentum midway through the second quarter.
Starters back in for the U.S.
Curry, Edwards, Tatum, James, and Embiid returned early in the second quarter.
U.S. leads after the first quarter
Team USA held a 32-21 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.
Full substitutions for the U.S.
Halfway through the first quarter, Team USA made full substitutions with Haliburton, Adebayo, Davis, Holiday, and Booker coming in.
Anthony Edwards starts strong
Edwards led all players with 11 points early, including a perfect performance from beyond the arc and the field.
Hot start from beyond the arc for Team USA
James and Edwards started 2-for-2 from 3-point range in the first three minutes.
USA vs. Australia: Key Information
Date: Monday, July 15
Time: Noon ET
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
TV: FS1
Stream: Fox Sports app, fuboTV, YouTube TV
Team USA Roster:
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Team Australia Roster:
Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
Matthew Dellavedova, Melbourne United
Dante Exum, Dallas Mavericks
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
Josh Green, Charlotte Hornets
Joe Ingles, Minnesota Timberwolves
Nick Kay, Shimane Susanoo Magic
Jock Landale, Houston Rockets
Will Magnay, Tasmania JackJumpers
Jack McVeigh, Tasmania JackJumpers
Duop Reath, Portland Trail Blazers
Patty Mills, unrestricted free agent
Key Dates for USA Men’s Basketball at the Olympics:
July 28: USA vs. Serbia, NBC, 11:15 a.m. ET
July 31: USA vs. South Sudan, NBC, 3 p.m. ET
Aug. 3: USA vs. Puerto Rico, NBC, 11:15 a.m. ET
The 2024 Paris Olympics run from July 24 to August 11, with events broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC, and NBCSN, and streaming available on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
Remaining USA Basketball Showcase Schedule:
July 17: USA vs. Serbia, 12 p.m. ET, FS1, Abu Dhabi
July 20: USA vs. South Sudan, 3 p.m. ET, Fox, London
July 22: USA vs. Germany, 3 p.m. ET, Fox, London