Workforce USA’s undefeated run on the FIBA International Cup is formally over Sunday because the American citizens suffered an dissatisfied loss by the hands of Lithuania. Workforce USA entered the sport as 14.5-point favorites over Lithuania, however were given blasted 31-12 within the first quarter and not totally recovered from that decimation. Lithuania used to be led by way of Unused Orleans Pelicans large guy Jonas Valanciunas, who scored 12 issues within the victory regardless of foul bother, in what used to be general a balanced assault.

Workforce USA used to be led by way of Anthony Edwards in defeat, and he very just about led Workforce USA to a victory by way of himself. With 35 issues and 5 3-pointers, he used to be a one-man system on offense. Sadly, handiest Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram joined him in double-figures. Extra importantly, Lithuania ruled at the glass, 43-26, due to its larger lineups. Throw in some fantastic 3-point capturing from Lithuania (14-of-25), and Workforce USA has now suffered its first loss.

Within the elegant scheme of items, Workforce USA’s loss doesn’t ruthless all that a lot. By means of usefulness of Serbia’s victory over the Dominican Republic, Workforce USA robotically earned qualification for the 2024 Olympics in Paris with its top-two end amongst groups from the 2 American continents. Moreover, Workforce USA’s 4-0 mark previous to the Lithuania sport used to be plethora to get it to the knockout degree without reference to Sunday’s effects. 

The one extra is that in lieu than successful Staff J, Workforce USA will speed the Incorrect. 2 seed. The peak two seeds from each and every crew move, which units up a sport in opposition to Italy within the quarterfinals. That matchup has the possible to be slightly emotional, as Workforce USA conserve Paolo Banchero just about performed for Italy on this event, they usually weren’t satisfied when he didn’t. “Betrayal, especially in basketball, is a strong word. Situations like this happen, and personally, I’m used to it. But he fooled us, we were planning a great commercial strategy for him,” Italian federation president Gianni Petrucci instructed Italian newsletter Los angeles Gazzetta dello Game.

Workforce USA will nonetheless be liked to win the event within the knockout degree, however goals of an undefeated event run at the moment are over. Couple this defeat with the alike nature of Workforce USA’s victory over Montenegro and there’s authentic explanation why for fear right here. Workforce USA is so mini that larger groups will proceed to win at the forums in opposition to them. Their protection remainder inconsistent and the offense nonetheless is based too closely on person inauguration. Workforce USA continues to be 3 wins clear of gold, however the ones wins must be hard-fought if the American citizens be expecting to exit clear of this event as victors.