USA to Play For Bronze On Sunday After Falling Just Short to Germany

08 September 2023

USA 111, GER 113

The United States fell just short to Germany, 113-111, in the semifinals at the 2023 FIBA Men's World Cup in Manila, Philippines. The USA will seek its 13th FIBA Men's World Cup medal versus Canada on Sunday at 4:40 p.m. PHT (4:40 a.m. ET). Broadcast information is TBD.

View the USA-Germany box score here.

TEAM NOTES

Starting Out: The United States used the same starters as it has the previous four games: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Worth Noting: With tonight’s 113-111 loss, the USA dropped to 13-1 all-time and 2-1 at the FIBA Men’s World Cup versus Germany. The U.S. falls to 4-4 in semifinal games (since 1986).

Points Galore: With 224 total points scored, the USA-Germany game saw more points scored in a FIBA Men’s World Cup game since 1990 (Korea def. Egypt, 115-117, 1990). With a 31-33 score at the end of the first quarter, it was the highest first quarter score in a World Cup semifinal. Before today, no team had ever scored 30+ points in the opening quarter of a semifinal. It was the highest scoring first half (60-59) at the World Cup since 2002 when New Zealand and Germany combined for 122 points in the bronze medal game. It was also the first time that both teams have scored more than 100 points in a knockout round in the main bracket.

The Charity Stripe: The USA went 23-for-24 (.958) from the free throw line. Today’s was their best performance from the line (.778, 21-27 FT, vs. New Zealand). The U.S. last shot 100% from the line at the World Cup vs. Tunisia in 2010.

Sue Bird Named Global Ambassador: American legend Sue Bird was named the Global Ambassador for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, set for Berlin in Sept. 2026. Bird is the only player to have won the Women’s World Cup four times (2018, 2014, 2010, 2002). Bird also has five Olympic titles and was the flag bearer for her country at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

PLAYER NOTES

Leading the Way: Edwards’ 23 points led the U.S. for the fourth time this tournament. He also led the Americans with eight boards. It’s the first time he led the U.S. in points and rebounds.

Double-Digit Scorers: The U.S. had at least four double-digit scorers for the fifth time. Austin Reaves notched his tournament-high (21), while Bridges and Brunson contributed 17 and 15 points, respectively.

Sharing the Rock: Tyrese Haliburton and Brunson again led the USA in assists with eight and seven, respectively. Either Haliburton or Brunson have led the U.S. in assists in nine of the USA’s 12 games this summer.

Bridges Lately: Bridges has scored 10+ points in each of his last three games after not doing it in any of his previous four. Bridges finished the night with 17 points.