Anthony Edwards and Steve Kerr On Team USA's Loss to Lithuania

Anthony Edwards said “we’re not worried about those guys” just four days ago when asked about taking on Lithuania.

The look on Steve Kerr’s face when Edwards said that made one thing clear: Team USA should not be taking Lithuania lightly.

Anthony Edwards didn't mince words when asked about Team USA's chances in the second round against Lithuania and Montenegro.

Edwards: "I think we're going to win…our confidence is at an all-time high so we’re not really worried about those guys." #FIBAWC | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/q1DD2tCxkY

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 30, 2023

That became even more evident when the Americans lost to the Lithuanians 110-104 on Sunday.

Edwards, however, was humble in his response to the defeat.

“They beat us fair and square, man,” he said postgame. “Shoutout to number 22, he hit two big threes in the fourth when we were making our run. Off balance, falling out of bounds. One of them was two seconds left, I strip the ball, he picks it up and throw it. Shoutout to him, man. It was his night. So yeah, they beat us fair and square.”

Steve Kerr also offered his thoughts.

“That was a great basketball game,” Kerr said. “Lithuania obviously just came out of the gates on fire. I think they made their first nine or 10 threes. Took it to us. I love how our guys fought back, played much better in the second half, competed like crazy, and gave a really good run, but it wasn’t enough. We’re fortunate the loss doesn’t hurt us in terms of our goal, which is to win the gold medal.

“But it’s a great game for us to experience, because this is FIBA. There are some great teams that have continuity, that understand what they’re doing, that execute. I thought Lithuania was brilliant tonight and they deserved to win.”

Despite the loss, Team USA will still advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Italy on Tuesday.

The Italians are coming off three straight victories against the Philippines, Serbia and Puerto Rico.