Men USA Top Puerto Rico and Close Group Play Undefeated

03 August 2024

USA 104, Puerto Rico 83

View the USA-Puerto Rico box score here.

The USA Men’s National Team rounded out group play at the 2024 Paris Games with a 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico. The two teams met at the Olympics for the first time since 2004. The USA will now prepare for the quarterfinals, set for Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Bercy Arena in Paris. The draw to finalize quarterfinal pairings will take place later tonight.

In their 20th Olympics, USA Basketball holds a 141-5 overall record and is 33-1 since 2004. The U.S. have medaled in every Olympics in which they’ve participated.

Starting Out: Coach Steve Kerr went to a different starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid. The U.S., for the first time in the last 20 years, have deployed different starting lineups in the first three games.

Strong Second: The U.S. trailed 25-29 entering the second frame but came out running, putting together their highest scoring quarter of the tournament. The Americans outscored Puerto Rico by 23 points (39-16) in the in the quarter to take a 64-45 advantage into halftime.

Sharing is Caring: The USA continued to show off their depth and cohesion as group play closes. The American bench totaled 52 points to Puerto Rico’s 37. The reserves are contributing a tournament-best 55 points per game.

The red, white and blue also finished with 30 assists. The U.S. became the first team in the tournament to finish with 30+ helpers in a game and, after recording 29 against South Sudan, has continued trending up in the assist column in each of their contests.

Ant Man: Two days before his 23rd birthday, Anthony Edwards gave the USA and the crowd an early present with his best scoring performance in these Olympics. He led the USA going into halftime with 12 points (5-7 FG). He finished with 26 points (11-15 FG, 3-6 3FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Edwards has scored 10+ points in every game thus far.

He became the youngest player in U.S. Olympic history since Dwight Howard (22 years 8 months; 22 points vs. GER, 8/18/2008) to score 20+ points in a game.

KD on the Boards: Kevin Durant recorded 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Durant has scored in double figures in all 25 of his career Olympic games.

With 4 rebounds, he now owns the U.S. men’s career Olympic rebounding record with 126 total, passing Carmelo Anthony’s total of 125.

Big Deuce: In his second consecutive start, Tatum notched his first Olympic double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He also added 3 assists and 2 steals in the effort.

Boo-Yeah: Embiid has scored 10+ points in each of his two games after recording a personal best 15 points against Puerto Rico. He also finished with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.