Team USA’s exhibition season hasn’t exactly gone as planned as the Olympic favorites have stumbled their way towards Tokyo with two upset exhibition losses to Nigeria and Australia. A win over Argentina seemingly righted the ship, but COVID-19 protocols deprived Team USA of Bradley Beal and a recurring calf injury also removed Kevin Love from the roster. With Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker still playing in the NBA Finals, the Americans looked to be in serious jeopardy less than a week before the opening ceremonies.
A final tuneup session against frequent Olympic rival and FIBA No. 2 ranked Spain gave Team USA the chance to right the ship, but a slow start threatened to shine an even brighter light on their struggles. Spain led for most of the first two quarters and took a 38-36 lead into the half behind strong performances from NBA stalwarts Ricky Rubio and the Gasol brothers, but Team USA came out with a renewed urgency in the second half thanks in part to one of its newest players.
San Antonio Spurs wing Keldon Johnson was only supposed to play for the Select Team when arrived in Las Vegas, but the absences of Booker, Holiday and Middleton forced Team USA to use him as a temporary replacement for their exhibitions. With…
