Team USA made a definitive statement in their first game of the 2024 Paris Olympics, cruising to a 110-84 victory over Serbia. However, the absence of Jayson Tatum from the rotation raised eyebrows. Despite being a key player for the Boston Celtics, Tatum logged zero minutes in the contest.
Tatum’s non-participation came as a surprise to many, particularly given his recent accolades. The Celtics star, who led his team to a championship and earned All-NBA First Team honors this past season, had been an integral part of Team USA's lineup during the exhibition games leading up to the Olympics. Tatum averaged 17.6 minutes in those five friendly matches, showing promise and contributing significantly to the team's performance.
Durant's Return Shuffles the Rotation
The primary reason for Tatum’s benching was the return of Kevin Durant from a calf injury. Durant, who had not played in the friendlies, was reintroduced to the lineup against Serbia, taking Tatum's spot in the rotation. Team USA head coach Steve Kerr addressed the decision, emphasizing the strategic aspect of the move. "I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He'll make his mark," Kerr explained.
Coach Kerr further elaborated that the decision for Tatum’s Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision (DNP-CD) status was largely influenced by the need to integrate Durant back into the team. "Kerr told reporters that the DNP-CD was mostly a result of getting Durant in the mix," said Kerr.
Starting Lineup Shines
Team USA's starting five against Serbia featured Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. This star-studded lineup proved effective, dominating the game and securing a comfortable win. Joel Embiid, despite missing recent practices due to illness, appeared in good form, contributing solidly alongside his teammates.
The bench unit also saw some notable performances, although Tyrese Haliburton remained sidelined after his limited play in the United States' tune-up game against South Sudan last week. Derrick White stepped up, running point with the second unit for the last two-and-a-half games. This adjustment has proven to be a pragmatic solution in the absence of Haliburton.
Looking Ahead
Team USA’s schedule remains packed, with upcoming games against South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET and Puerto Rico next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET. These matches will be crucial for further fine-tuning the rotations and ensuring that the team is in peak form as the competition progresses.
Despite sitting out the game, Jayson Tatum remains optimistic and unfazed about his situation. Responding to inquiries about his status, he simply remarked, "No, I'm good." With such a positive attitude and a season of personal and professional triumphs behind him, it is likely only a matter of time before Tatum makes significant contributions to Team USA's Olympic campaign.
Overall, the mixture of seasoned veterans and emerging young talents in Team USA's roster, combined with strategic decisions from Coach Kerr, points toward a promising and dynamic journey through the 2024 Paris Olympics. The balance of integrating recovered players like Durant while giving rest to key individuals seems to be the formula for maintaining the team's dominance on the international stage.