Boasting a lineup filled with All-Star NBA talent, Team USA seemed like an unstoppable force at the FIBA World Cup. However, Lithuania had other plans, executing a flawless first quarter that left even U.S. and Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr in awe.
Kerr, known for coaching shooting masterclasses, found himself on the receiving end this time as Lithuania went a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc in the opening period, building a massive 19-point lead. Their scorching shooting continued with a 9-for-9 start from beyond the arc in the second quarter, leaving Kerr and his team stunned.
Although Kerr’s team mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Lithuania 28-17 and narrowing the gap to just six points, the Lithuanians held their ground to secure a surprising victory.
Despite young star Anthony Edwards leading Team USA with an impressive 35 points, criticism flowed on social media. Edwards took 26 field-goal attempts against Lithuania, a notable contrast to the World Cup’s earlier even distribution of scoring among Team USA players.
In contrast, Lithuania showcased a true team effort, with seven players scoring in double digits. Vaidas Kariniauskas led the charge with 15 points, while New Orleans Pelicans’ big man Jonas Valanciunas contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in just 19 minutes.
While the loss isn’t a crushing blow for Team USA, it has led them to finish second to Lithuania in their second-round group. Consequently, they are set to face Italy in the quarter-finals, with Italy securing the top spot in Group I on point differential over Serbia.
Read Latest updates on CrPatiNews
- Father-Son Duos In NBA: LeBron James and Bronny James Joins The List
Discover the most memorable father-son duos in NBA history, including LeBron and Bronny James, who have made significant impacts on the league with their talent and legacy. - Which Team Won The Most Number Of NBA Titles Till Now?Discover which NBA team has won the most titles in history. Uncover the dominance of the most successful team in the NBA.
- Which nation has won the most gold medals in Men’s and at the Olympics?Read about the countries who won the Olympics Medals from Berline 1936 to 2024. Check out the latest Paris 2024 Olympics results.
