The U.S. men’s basketball team’s quest for another gold medal is off to a rough start.
Team USA suffered its first Olympic loss since 2004 on Sunday, falling to France in its first group play game by a final score of 83-76. Evan Fournier led the way for France with a game-high 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including a clutch 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter that gave his team a lead it would never lose. France finished the Olympic opener on a 16-2 run.
Jrue Holiday, who traveled to Tokyo shortly after winning the NBA Finals championship with the Bucks last week, totaled 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the loss. Team USA’s top offensive threats struggled against France, though — especially Kevin Durant. The Nets star dealt with foul trouble throughout the game and finished with only 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Team USA has two games remaining in group play. It will face Iran on Wednesday (12:40 a.m. ET) and the Czech Republic on Saturday (8 a.m. ET).
Sporting News provided live updates and highlights from the U.S. men’s basketball team’s Olympic game against France. Check out all the highlights you missed right here.
MORE: Watch the 2021 Olympics live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
(All times Eastern)
10 a.m. — Yikes. Damian Lillard falls down on the catch and loses the ball. France should be able to shut the door on Team USA here.
¡Se resbaló Lillard! Increíble. pic.twitter.com/hAqXbVyVVI
9:50 a.m. — Wow. Evan Fournier gives France the lead with less than a minute to go.
BAAAAAAAAANG FOURNIER FOR THE LEAAAAD!!!
FRANCIA AL FRENTE CON MENOS DE UN MINUTO pic.twitter.com/zizgM34Xih
9:40 a.m. — Just an incredible performance from Jrue Holiday. He is doing everything for Team USA.
Hermoso movimiento de ? para USA.
Holiday al rescate, con 16 PTS ya pic.twitter.com/4pmduDm8WT
9:35 a.m. — Jrue Holiday hits a big 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter.
Jrue Holiday. Tiro clave. Se pica estooooo pic.twitter.com/4JrPYSPrD1
9:25 a.m. — France outscores Team USA 25-11 in the third quarter and takes a six-point lead into the final frame.
#Tokyo2020 #JuegosOlimpicos #Basketball
Al frente Francia con este bombazo de De Colo. pic.twitter.com/JnJOKqfyjY
9:20 a.m. — Evan Fournier is carrying France offensively. He’s got 22 of his team’s 49 points.
Evan Fournier now up to a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 FG. pic.twitter.com/Z4FpDQ6SQ5
9:15 a.m. — Kevin Durant heads back to the bench after being whistled for his fourth foul. Who will step up for Team USA?
Kevin Durant has 4 fouls. (In FIBA, 5 is the limit). There’s 16-plus minutes of basketball left
9:05 a.m. — This guy is automatic from the line.
A robot was brought out to shoot free throws at halftime in Tokyo ? pic.twitter.com/foRGxCmzcH
8:50 a.m. — Zach LaVine, you are cleared for takeoff.
Aerolíneas LaVine ✈️ ?? pic.twitter.com/nwslJFB4zs
8:45 a.m. — What a wild save by Nicolas Batum.
#Tokyo2020 #JuegosOlimpicos #Basketball
Se le iba la pelota a Batum, pero sacó un conejo de la galera para que Gobert anote. pic.twitter.com/wdFpzRxEBO
8:40 a.m. — Oh boy. Kevin Durant gets called for his third foul. That could be a problem.
Three on KD. International basketball allows five fouls.
8:35 a.m. — Damian Lillard is loving the international 3-point arc.
Damian. Lillard. Hand down, maaaa doowwnn
BOMBAZO SOBRE GOBERT! pic.twitter.com/v5kmk0GV9B
8:30 a.m. — France runs a nice high-low action with Nicolas Batum finding Moustapha Fall for the easy dunk.
Good counter from France to Team USA switching/fronting. Batum flashes from the corner to the FT line, Fall seals, quick pass for 2. pic.twitter.com/QPwLdOdVKz
8:25 a.m. — Team USA is overwhelming France with its defensive intensity.
La intensidad de #USA en defensa pic.twitter.com/m0dTDDnYzw
8:15 a.m. — Kevin Durant already has seven points, but he has also picked up two fouls in the first quarter.
Indefendible pic.twitter.com/G3HWmUlRLS
8 a.m. — The starters for each team…
7:45 a.m. — A couple of roster updates ahead of USA vs. France:
France announces that Frank Ntilikina (slight muscle discomfort) is out for tonight’s game in Tokyo against the United States. (8 a.m. EDT)
USA Basketball says Middleton, Holiday and Booker will all play tonight vs. France.
The USA vs. France men’s basketball game won’t be broadcast live on cable television. Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, is the only place to watch the live action at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday. NBCSN is scheduled to air a replay of the 2021 Olympic opener at midnight on July 26.
(All times Eastern)
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