Admin July 28, 2024
As Team USA’s men’s basketball head coach Steve Kerr figures out the optimal first and second unit for this star-studded squad to consistently operate as a cohesive unit that reaches the top of the medal stand, Jayson Tatum’s role has shifted from starting to coming off the bench.
But in the first half of Team USA’s first game at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, a showdown against Nikola Jokic and Serbia, Tatum spent the opening two frames glued to the pine.
As for his Celtics teammates, Jrue Holiday, who started alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Edwards, swiped two steals, dished out two assists, and registered two points on a layup.
His backcourtmate in Boston and fellow All-Defensive guard Derrick White came off the bench to record two thefts and an assist. He also earned a plus-11 plus-minus rating in the first half. He helped spark improved ball movement and defense.
James and Kevin Durant led the way for Team USA in the first half, combining to go 13/13 from the field. The latter made all eight shots he hoisted, including a fadeaway from inside the arc to beat the buzzer. He also knocked down a trio of triples, generating a game-high 21 points.
James stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, five assists, and three rebounds, helping the United States take a 58-49 advantage into halftime of their first matchup in pool play.
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown
Summer League Struggles Offer Valuable Lessons to Jordan Walsh
D.J. MacLeay Shares How Baylor Scheierman Impressed Him in Celtics Win vs. Lakers
Jaylen Brown ‘Wasn’t Surprised’ by Olympic Snub: ‘All the Motivation in the World’
Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens’ Message to Him
Celtics’ Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston’s Offseason
Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency
New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed
Brad Stevens Shares His Outlook on Celtics’ Draft Picks
Al Horford, Raising Cane’s, and a Region that Loves Him
On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA’s Best Role Player
