Team USA’s Derrick White (L), Jayson Tatum (C) and Anthony Edwards take part in stretching exercises during men’s basketball practice Thursday at the Marcel Cretan Sports Center in Paris. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will play against South Sudan in Team USA’s second game of the Paris Olympics after not seeing the floor against Serbia, coach Steve Kerr announced Monday.
“Jayson will play,” Kerr told reporters. “I’m not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn’t. Advertisement
“But we’re going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens.”
Kevin Durant scored 23 points to lead Team USA to a 110-84 win over Serbia on Sunday at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. LeBron James chipped in 21 points for the Americans.
Derrick White, Tatum’s Celtics teammate, scored two points and played more than 15 minutes for Team USA. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton joined Tatum as the only Americans who did not get on the court.
Team USA will face South Sudan at 3 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. The game will air on USA Network. Advertisement
LeBron James, Team USA go for gold
Lebron James of Team USA reacts after scoring against Serbia in their men’s basketball group C game at the Paris 2024 Olympics in Lille, France, on July 28, 2024. Team USA beat Serbia 110-84. Photo by Paul Hanna/UPI | License Photo
