Getting everyone playing time will be a challenge for U.S. basketball coach Steve Kerr, who was faced with a tough decision after the U.S. beat Serbia in its first group game on Sunday.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum did not play in the 110-84 victory despite playing 17.6 minutes in the United States' five exhibition games before the Paris Olympics.
But Kerr and the U.S. national team were without Kevin Durant to rely on during those games, and Durant appeared to have been inserted into the starting rotation in place of Tatum in Sunday's game against Serbia.
2024 Paris Olympics
“It's really difficult to use more than 10 players for a 40-minute game. Kevin [Durant] “When I came back, I just tried the combinations that I felt made the most sense,” Kerr told reporters, according to USA Today.
“It's crazy. I looked at it all and I thought I was crazy when I decided this was the lineup I was going to go with. Jason has been named to the All-NBA first team three years in a row and is one of the best players in the world. He's incredibly professional and he proved that tonight. That doesn't mean he's going to be that way for the rest of the tournament, so he's going to make his mark.”
Tatum finished the season in the NBA, leading the Celtics to their first NBA title since 2008.
But Kerr said decisions are being made with what's best for Team USA in mind, rather than getting bogged down in thinking about what all of the Team USA players did during the NBA season.
“The big thing, and our guys know it, is forget about the NBA stuff and just win six games. Jason is a consummate professional and a champion. He handled it well and will be ready for the next game,” Kerr said.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton also did not play in the win over Serbia.
Durant scored 23 points and made 8 of 9 shots in his first game back from a calf injury.
The U.S. is back in action on Wednesday when it takes on South Sudan in its second group match.
