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Team USA has kicked off its first group play match against Team Serbia, and the team is doing quite well so far. After 20 minutes in the first half, Team USA led Team Serbia 58-49. While the stars are shining, like Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, and LeBron James, others aren’t getting the opportunity.
More News: USA Basketball Looks Surprisingly Vulnerable Ahead of Paris Olympics
Boston Celtics forward and 2024 NBA champion Jayson Tatum has yet to play a single minute in the game. It’s unclear if he is hurt or dealing with something else; however, his absence in the first half has the basketball world in a frenzy.
Fans and players alike are reacting to Tatum’s absence in the first half.
Does Steve Kerr know he has Jayson Tatum on his team?
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) July 28, 2024
What did Jayson Tatum do to Steve Kerr though
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) July 28, 2024
Paul Harding/Getty Images
Steve Kerr treating Jayson Tatum like he’s Christian Laettner, what happened to the game I love.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 28, 2024
Jayson Tatum dropping 50 on Steve Kerr’s head next year we will be there.
— j (@lockedupjb) July 28, 2024
So far, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are the odd men out for the Team USA rotation.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 28, 2024
Both Tatum and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton have yet to play a minute in Team USA’s first game of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tatum is no stranger to the Olympic games. He played an integral part in the 2020 Summer Games, helping lead Team USA to its fourth consecutive gold medal. In six ames in those Games, Tatum averaged 20.5 minutes per game, 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from three (17-38 3FG).
Tatum also won gold medals at the 2013 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, and 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship. The 26-year-old has been around the block in the international game, yet Team USA head coach Steve Kerr has yet to play him.
The five-time ALl-star highlights this team alongside his NBA teammates guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. These three were pivotal to Boston’s title run this past season, and they’ll look to reach similar heights these next two weeks in Paris.
Although one Celtic isn’t getting the playing time he deserves, Holiday and White are playing crucial minutes. Holiday has been a starter since the first game of exhibition play against Team Canada, and Kerr has slowly eased White into the rotation.
Tatum may be the odd man out because of Durant’s return. Durant didn’t play in the team’s first six exhibition games due to a calf injury. The coaching staff decided it was best for Durant to rest as much as he could. His calf injury isn’t too extreme, so Team USA decided just to be cautious.
Durant is Team USA’s all-time leading scorer in Olympic play and a former player of coach Kerr during his time with the Golden State Warriors from 2016-19.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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