Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum began for Workforce USA of their matchup in opposition to South Sudan on Wednesday after being benched within the first sport of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday.
Tatum took simply 4 pictures within the 17:10 minutes of enjoying time, pulling down two of these pictures for 4 factors. The Celtics star collected 5 rebounds, had two assists and a highlight-reel block when he hustled again to guard the rim and stop South Sudan ahead Nuni Omot from scoring the simple bucket.
Tatum additionally linked on an alley-oop dunk from Stephen Curry, making issues look straightforward for the Individuals en path to a 103-86 victory.
After benching Tatum within the first sport, head coach Steve Kerr sat NBA MVP Joel Embiid in opposition to South Sudan. Embiid scored 4 factors and picked up two rebounds in opposition to Serbia on Sunday.
Story continues beneath commercial
“That is the quickest crew within the event we will play,” Kerr mentioned of his resolution to alter the lineup, per Ben Golliver of the Washington Put up. “We needed to match up. They made 14 threes in opposition to us in London. The entire sport at the moment was going to be switching and staying in entrance of individuals.”
Kerr took a number of flack for not enjoying Tatum within the first sport, however the Golden State Warriors coach mentioned he would not take note of the skin noise and hopes the gamers do not as properly.
“They’re execs and dedicated to one another,” Kerr mentioned, per Golliver. “I do not learn social media. I might hope our guys aren’t paying an excessive amount of consideration to that. That is an everyday season factor the place the cleaning soap opera can carry the rankings. Right here, it is simply win a rattling gold.”
Story continues beneath commercial
Kerr is reportedly altering the beginning lineup for Workforce USA vs. Puerto Rico tilt on Friday. Jrue Vacation, Devin Booker and LeBron James will begin alongside Curry and Embiid, per Golliver.
