USA Basketball suffered its first loss in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in stunning fashion, but the Americans leave with their ticket punched to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Team USA entered Sunday as 15.5-point favorites to beat Lithuania in the final game of the second round. With a spot in the quarterfinals already clinched for both countries, Lithuania used a strong first-half start to defeat the United States, 110-104. The Lithuanians led 31-12 after the first quarter and held a 54-37 advantage at halftime.
The U.S. cut into its deficit in the third quarter, outscoring Lithuania by 11 points. The group trailed by six points entering the fourth quarter but was unable to get much closer as Lithuania answered each run by the U.S. in the period. Lithuania outrebounded Team USA, 43-27, and held a 61-38 advantage in bench scoring.
Vaidas Kariniauskas led Lithuania (5-0) with 15 points and four rebounds, Mindaugas Kuzminskas had 14 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 12 points and seven rebounds. The Lithuanians head into the quarterfinals as one of two undefeated teams (Germany) and will face Serbia on Tuesday.
Biggest upset of the tournament so far? 🚨
🇱🇹 Lithuania stun USA to maintain their unbeaten status in #FIBAWC!#WinForLietuva pic.twitter.com/ok9FHievQP
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2023
Anthony Edwards led Team USA with 35 points, which tied Carmelo Anthony for the second-most points in a World Cup game by an American. Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson each scored 14 points and Brandon Ingram added 10 points.
Despite the loss to Lithuania, USA Basketball clinched a berth in the Olympic Games thanks to losses by Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The group will finish as one of the top two teams from the Americas region, along with Canada.
Hey @Olympics, the reigning champs will be back to defend the gold! 🇺🇸🥇
As the USA eyes @FIBAWC glory, they have confirmed participation at @Paris2024 as one of the top-two teams in the Americas.#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/2lauKG3ZeN
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 3, 2023
Team USA will face Italy to begin the knockout round of the tournament on Tuesday (8:40 a.m. EDT, ESPN2) as the second-place team from Group J. The Italians were the top team from Group I, posting a 4-1 record through the first two rounds.
The U.S. is favored to win the tournament at minus-135.
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