Anthony Edwards, Team USA’s youngest player at age 22, came off the bench to shoot 11 of 15 with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. His coolest play was a tap-away steal and windmill slam with about nine minutes left and the Americans up by 25.
LeBron James, as usual for this tournament, handed in a complete performance with 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds in just 18 minutes. Kevin Durant scored 11 points and needs four more to jump Lisa Leslie (488 career points) as USA Basketball’s all-time leading scorer at the Olympics for both the men’s and women’s programs.
Joel Embiid returned to the U.S. starting lineup after sitting out against South Sudan. He scored 15 points with three boards in nearly 23 minutes, and in a confounding twist, the French crowd continued to boo him each time he touched the ball but erupted in applause when he scored or blocked a shot. Go figure.
Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans, the only NBA player on the Puerto Rican roster, led his team with 18 points.