Written by: Brian Windhorst, ESPN
LAS VEGAS — Team USA suffered a stunning and sobering defeat in its first exhibition game before the Olympics, getting outplayed by Nigeria in a 90-87 loss Saturday night.
Coming into the game the Americans had been 54-2 in exhibition games since professionals started playing in 1992, and just nine years ago beat Nigeria by 83 points in the London Olympics. Five years ago, Team USA beat Nigeria by 43 points in an exhibition.
Nigeria has seven current NBA players, and that talent showed, particularly in its physical defense and 3-point shooting. But the Americans started five All-NBA players and were unable to deliver against a team that appeared to play more together, a common challenge in international competition.
“In a way I’m kind of glad it happened,” Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said. “It means nothing if we don’t learn from it. It could be the most important thing in this tournament for us. To learn lessons from this.”
Team USA came in with only four days of practice this week, and Friday was a light workout with no scrimmaging. Nigeria first gathered June 20 and had the entire team together since June 27. The difference showed.
Continue reading on ESPN: Team USA stunned by Nigeria in rare exhibition basketball loss ahead of Tokyo Olympics
