The U.S. Olympic basketball team had a mixed performance on Monday. Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton hit two crucial late-game 3-pointers, helping the U.S. secure a 98-92 victory over Australia. This win improved the team’s record to 2-0 in their five-game exhibition series before the Paris Olympics. Devin Booker added 16 points, Anthony Edwards scored 14, and LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, and Joel Embiid each contributed 10 points.
The Americans played a strong first half and led by 24 points midway through the third quarter. However, Australia narrowed the gap with a 39-21 run, cutting the lead to six with just over five minutes left. Haliburton then scored six consecutive points, pushing the lead to 92-80. Although Australia reduced the deficit to four points twice, Booker made four free throws in the final eight seconds to secure the win for the U.S.
U.S. coach Steve Kerr acknowledged that turnovers and defensive breakdowns in the third quarter allowed Australia to get back into the game. He praised Australia’s performance, noting their physicality and effort.
The U.S. team’s second unit, consisting of Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Adebayo, Davis, and Booker, again made a significant impact. This group turned a 19-19 tie into a 39-23 lead with a 20-4 run in just over five minutes. Kerr started this group in the second half and emphasized the importance of the team’s depth, pointing out that their ability to bring All-Stars off the bench gives them a significant advantage.
However, turnovers remain a concern for the U.S. team. They committed 18 turnovers against Australia, which led to 25 points off turnovers in the second half alone, fueling Australia’s comeback attempt. Davis emphasized the need for better focus and execution to reduce turnovers.
On the injury front, Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive game due to a calf strain, and it’s uncertain if he’ll play in Wednesday’s game against Serbia. Derrick White, who recently joined the team, also didn’t play. White replaced Kawhi Leonard on the roster after Leonard was ruled out due to knee issues.