At 11 a.m. CT on Monday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the USA Basketball Showcase exhibition between the United States and Australia will take place in advance of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
On the rosters are a number of former Oklahoma City Thunder players. Despite playing for the United States, Kevin Durant is expected to miss Monday’s game because of a sore calf. Josh Giddey, meanwhile, is an Australian player.
In their most recent game, Team USA defeated Canada 86-72 on Wednesday in Las Vegas.
In exhibition matches before the Olympics, Team USA is 35-3 overall.
Australia 92, United States 98 in the end
With eight seconds left, Australia cut the lead to four points, but Devin Booker’s four consecutive free throws sealed the victory for Team USA.
With 17 points and 14 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, Davis led the US team. With 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 9 of 12 shots from the field, Landale led Australia. At 11 a.m. on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, the USA Basketball Showcase will resume with an exhibition matchup between the United States and Serbia, which is led by the current NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Final third-quarter score: Australia 61, United States 76
Australia started a 14-2 run to tie the score at 7:09, however they were behind by a game-high 24 points at that time.
But Team USA was able to regain control thanks to Anthony Davis. During the quarter, the forward for the Los Angeles Lakers stacked the stat sheet with eight points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Australia 37, United States 53 at the half.
At 6:03, Australia went on a 7-0 run to close the gap to 39-30. During that time, Giddey led the way with four points and two boards.
However, the US hit back with a 7-0 run of their own, leading comfortably at the break. Edwards scored eleven points, while Landale topped all scorers with thirteen points.
Final third-quarter score: Australia 61, United States 76
Australia started a 14-2 run to tie the score at 7:09, however they were behind by a game-high 24 points at that time.
But Team USA was able to regain control thanks to Anthony Davis. During the quarter, the forward for the Los Angeles Lakers stacked the stat sheet with eight points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Australia 37, United States 53 at the half.
At 6:03, Australia went on a 7-0 run to close the gap to 39-30. During that time, Giddey led the way with four points and two boards.
However, the US hit back with a 7-0 run of their own, leading comfortably at the break. Edwards scored eleven points, while Landale topped all scorers with thirteen.
USA modifies their starting lineup.
On Monday, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards will start for Team USA.
Tatum and Edwards are the newest members of the starting lineup. Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday, who got things started against Canada on Wednesday, will be replaced by them.
Patty Mills, Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey, Nick Kay, and Jock Landale are the starting players for Australia.
Kevin Durant won’t participate.
Olgun Uluc of ESPN reports that Durant will not play for the United States against Australia on Monday. The forward for Phoenix is missing his second consecutive exhibition game due to calf pain.
When is the USA Basketball Showcase between Team USA and Australia?
Date: July 15, Monday; Time: 11:00 a.m. CT
Where: United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
