The U.S. Olympic basketball team had a mixed performance on Monday. Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton hit two crucial late 3-pointers, helping the U.S. beat Australia 98-92. This victory improved their record to 2-0 in a series of five exhibition games leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Devin Booker added 16 points, Anthony Edwards scored 14, and LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, and Joel Embiid each contributed 10 points. The U.S. team is hosting a pair of exhibition games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with a match against Serbia scheduled for Wednesday.
For Australia, Jock Landale scored 20 points, Josh Giddey had 17, and Dyson Daniels added 14. The U.S. led by 24 points in the third quarter, but Australia went on a 39-21 run to close the gap to six points with 5:05 remaining. Haliburton’s timely 3-pointers extended the U.S. lead to 92-80. Despite a late push from Australia, Booker’s perfect 4-for-4 free-throw shooting in the final 8 seconds sealed the win for the U.S.
U.S. coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the team’s struggles in the third quarter, citing turnovers and defensive lapses. He credited Australia for their physical play and resilience, noting that the game provided valuable lessons for the U.S. team.
The so-called second unit of Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Adebayo, Davis, and Booker made a significant impact, turning a tied game into a 39-23 lead with a 20-4 run. This group started the second half, underscoring the team’s depth and ability to field multiple All-Stars.
Turnovers remain a concern for the U.S. team, with 18 giveaways on Monday, allowing Australia to score 25 points off those turnovers in the second half. Davis emphasized the need for better focus and execution to address this issue.
Injury-wise, Kevin Durant missed his second game due to a calf strain and is unlikely to play against Serbia. Derrick White, who recently joined the team, also did not play. White replaced Kawhi Leonard, who is dealing with knee issues and was advised against playing this summer.