The U.S. Olympic basketball team secured a hard-fought victory over Australia, winning 98-92 in an exhibition game on Monday. Anthony Davis led the charge with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton hit two crucial late 3-pointers to halt an Australian comeback. This win improves the U.S. team’s record to 2-0 in their five-game exhibition slate leading into the Paris Olympics.
Devin Booker added 16 points, and Anthony Edwards contributed 14. LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, and Joel Embiid each scored 10 points for the Americans. The U.S. team, currently in Abu Dhabi, will play Serbia on Wednesday in their next exhibition match.
Australia’s Jock Landale scored 20 points, supported by Josh Giddey with 17 and Dyson Daniels with 14. The U.S. team had a commanding 24-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Australia mounted a significant comeback, cutting the lead to six with 5:05 left. Haliburton’s timely 3-pointers extended the lead back to 92-80, providing some breathing room for the Americans.
Despite Australia closing the gap to four points twice, Booker sealed the win by going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final eight seconds. U.S. coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the team’s struggles in the second half, particularly with turnovers and defensive lapses. “Third quarter, we started turning the ball over,” Kerr said. “We gave up a ton of points at the basket. It’s a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later.”
The so-called second unit — featuring Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Adebayo, Davis, and Booker — proved crucial once again. This group transformed a tied game into a 39-23 lead, demonstrating the depth of the U.S. roster. “The strength of our team is our depth and we have to utilize our depth,” Kerr emphasized.
Turnovers remain a significant concern for the U.S. team, with 18 giveaways against Australia, leading to 25 points off turnovers for their opponents in the second half alone. “Our turnovers, it’s all about focus and execution,” Davis noted.
Injury concerns also loom, as Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive game due to a calf strain, and Derrick White, who recently joined the team, did not play. White replaced Kawhi Leonard, who is dealing with knee issues and was deemed unfit to play this summer.
