Team USA was defeated by France 83-76 in its 2021 Tokyo Olympic debut on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status/1419298222174990338
Prior to Sunday, Team USA had not lost an Olympic game in 17 years.
“I think we have a history of dominance and maybe not always blowing people out, but we have a history of winning,” Portland Trail Blazers’ star Damian Lillard said after the game, per ESPN.
“And it’s not often that you see Team USA go out there and lose, especially to start.”
Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Jrue Holiday – who had just arrived in Japan before the game after celebrating winning the 2021 NBA Finals – had perhaps the best performance for Team USA, with 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Free agent guard Evan Fournier carried the French team, scoring 28 points on 50% (11-22) shooting from the field.
Team USA will face off against Iran on Wednesday (7/28) at 12:40PM EDT.