How Tatum, Holiday and White performed for Team USA in their season opener against Serbia originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston.
The U.S. men’s basketball team began its bid for a fifth consecutive gold medal with an emotional win over Serbia.
After a 10-2 Serbian streak began Sunday’s group-stage showdown, it was all about the U.S. team. Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant, who missed the exhibition match with a tight calf, scored 21 points in the first half on 8-of-8 shooting, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range. The U.S. headed into the locker room with a nine-point lead.
Durant scored a team-high 23 points in Team USA’s 110-84 victory. Los Angeles Lakers guard LeBron James also led the team with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
For Serbia, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic scored a team-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field.
Two of the Celtics’ three players on the Team USA roster stood out in the lineup. Here’s how Jayson Tatum, July Holiday and Derrick White performed in Sunday’s win. Check out highlights from Holiday and White in the video player above.
Jayson Tatum
Final stats: dynamite
Tatum mysteriously sat on the bench throughout the game, and after the game, when asked if he was doing so because he was sick, he told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, “No, I’m fine.”
U.S. coach Steve Kerr said he opted to bench Tatum and play “logical matchups.”
Kerr acknowledged that Tatum was a perfect DNP-CD: “We picked the combination that made sense. That’s what we were going to do tonight. He handled it well. He’s going to make his mark.” #Celtics #Paris2024
— Gary Washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) July 28, 2024
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was the only Team USA player to miss the season opener.
Jrue Holiday
Final stats: 24 minutes, 15 points (6-of-8, 3-of-5 3-pointers), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, +9
Holiday was a starter for Team USA and one of the stars of the win. The veteran guard was a difference maker on both ends of the court, finishing second to Durant and James in scoring (15 points) and recording two steals. As an All-Defensive selection, he continues to look like a great fit for this team, able to contribute offensively when needed.
Derrick White
Final stats: 16 minutes, 2 points (1-of-2, 0-of-1 3-pointers), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, +15
White didn’t make a big impact in his Olympic debut, but he made his presence felt with his usual stellar defense. The All-Defensive Guard tied Holiday with two steals and reminded the basketball world he is the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA. Despite only scoring two points on two attempts, he finished with an impressive +15 rating.
The U.S. team’s next match will be against South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
