WASHINGTON (Dispatches) - The U.S. National Basketball team made history on Monday night, and for all the wrong reasons after Team USA dropped its second straight exhibition game, this time losing to the Australian National Team 91 to 83.
The loss comes just two days after Team USA dropped a friendly to the Nigerian National Team, both games being played as part of a series of exhibitions taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. And unlike in the loss to Nigeria, star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum’s inefficiency from the field was at least part of the reason why.
The St. Louis native went 4-of-12 from the floor and 0-of-6 from deep to log 8 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists on the night, playing in a reserve role for the first time with Team USA.
Former Celtics center Aron Baynes was injured early in the game and did not return.
Team USA can still try for some redemption against the Argentinean National Team, but it’s quite clear they have plenty of work to do if they want to take home any medal at all.