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How LeBron James got chosen to be a flag bearer for Team USA
Steph Curry and the USA Men’s basketball team chose NBA legend LeBron James to carry one of the flags during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
The U.S. men’s basketball team is performing well in the 2024 Paris Olympics so far, and its final group play victory against Puerto Rico was no different.
The Americans, with a star-studded roster, have showcased individual brilliance and unity as a team. Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and company are one step closer to a fifth consecutive gold medal, securing the top seed in the quarterfinal bracket with Saturday’s win.
Here are the highlights of Team USA vs. Puerto Rico.
Anthony Edwards had his Olympic moment. A crowd-pleasing, windmill dunk by Edwards in the fourth quarter punctuated his efficient 26-point performance in the win.
“I had already told KD (Kevin Durant) after the timeout, ‘Bro, if I get a break, I’m going to windmill it,'” Edwards said.
Edwards had thoughts of a risky, more elaborate dunk. “I wanted to go between your legs, but I ain’t tried it in a minute, so I (didn’t) want to embarrass myself,” he said. He didn’t embarrass himself. “I’ve been waiting. I want to dunk on somebody, but I ain’t got a line yet, so I’m glad I got that one,” Edwards said.
The U.S. men’s basketball team will play on Aug. 6 in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Olympic men’s basketball quarterfinals: Bracket, schedule, and how to watch Paris Games
A balanced scoring attack led by six players in double figures delivered the U.S. men’s basketball team to a 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico in the final game of Group C play for both teams. Anthony Edwards scored a team-high 26 points, Joel Embiid had 15 points, Kevin Durant had 11 and Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis each 10 points. LeBron James added 10 points, eight assist and six rebounds.
A 44-41 U.S. lead in the second quarter ballooned to 64-45 at halftime, and the U.S. kept tacking on the points while limiting Puerto Rico. The U.S. finished 3-0 in Group C and likely will play Brazil in the quarterfinals. – Jeff Zillgitt
The USA’s dominant display was in full effect once they found their rhythm and defeated Puerto Rico 104-81. The USA won all three group play matchups and secured the top spot in the quarterfinal rounds.
Anthony adds some razzle-dazzle with a stellar dunk to start the fourth quarter. Edwards has performed extremely well in this final group play game for the United States and has 23 points so far against Puerto Rico.
After a slow start, the USA has dominated and extended their lead to 87-59 against Puerto Rico heading into the fourth quarter. Anthony Edwards leads the scoring for the US with an impressive 19 points.
Joel Embiid is finding his rhythm, sinking a three-pointer as he contributes 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 blocks, helping the USA extend their lead to 73-52 against Puerto Rico.
The U.S. owned a 64-45 lead against Puerto Rico at halftime of their men’s 5×5 basketball Group C game. Puerto Rico kept the score close for much of the half with solid shooting and owned a 25-17 lead in the first quarter. But the U.S. talent and depth began to wear down Puerto Rico. The U.S. bench outscored Puerto Rico’s reserves 27-16, and the U.S. closed the final four minutes of the second quarter on a 20-4 run.
Anthony Edwards has 12 points, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Jayson Tatum each have eight points, and LeBron James has eight points, six assists and four rebounds. Jose Alvarado leads Puerto Rico with 13 points. -Jeff Zillgitt
Heading into halftime, Team USA extended its lead to 64-45 against Puerto Rico. Anthony Edwards led the scoring with 12 points.
Anthony Edwards came off the bench to score 12 points, while Kevin Durant added eight points, helping the USA take a 44-37 lead against Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico cannot advance to the quarterfinal round due to points, but that hasn’t stopped them from battling it out with the USA and keeping it close. The USA currently leads 42-37 with a little less than five minutes left in the second quarter.
The USA takes the lead as Kevin Durant hits a three-pointer, giving the red, white, and blue a 31-29 lead over Puerto Rico early in the second half.
Jayson Tatum is the current leading scorer for the USA with six points, two rebounds, and one assist. The USA is trailing Puerto Rico 25-29 heading into the second quarter.
Team USA coach Steve Kerr calls a timeout after Puerto Rico goes on an 11-0 run, extending their largest lead of the game to 25-15 early in the first quarter.
Jrue Holiday will miss Saturday’s Olympic group stage game against Puerto Rico due to an ankle injury sustained during the match against South Sudan.
USA vs. Puerto Rico: Time, TV, streaming and how to watch
- Date: Saturday, August 3
- Time: 11:15 a.m. ET
- Location: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (free trial)
How to watch: Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics live with Peacock
The USA Men’s Basketball National Team will play against Puerto Rico at 11:15 a.m. ET on NBC and will be streamed live on Peacock.
The USA Men’s Basketball National Team final Paris Olympic group stage game against Puerto Rico will be broadcast on NBC and available to stream on Peacock.
Group A
- Australia
- Canada
- Greece
- Spain
Group B
Group C
- Puerto Rico
- Serbia
- South Sudan
- U.S.
Group A
| Position | Team | Record | Points | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canada | 2-0 | 4 | Knockout stage |
| 2. | Greece | 1-2 | 4 | Knockout stage |
| 3. | Australia | 1-2 | 4 | Potential knockout stage |
| 4. | Spain | 1-1 | 3 |
Points: Two for win, one for loss. Third team in each group may advance based on ranking.
Group B
| Position | Team | Record | Points | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Germany | 2-0 | 4 | Knockout stage |
| 2. | France | 2-0 | 4 | Knockout stage |
| 3. | Brazil | 1-2 | 4 | Potential knockout stage |
| 4. | Japan | 0-3 | 3 |
Points: Two for win, one for loss. Third team in each group may advance based on ranking.
Group C
| Position | Team | Record | Points | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | United States | 2-0 | 4 | Knockout stage |
| 2. | Serbia | 1-1 | 3 | Knockout stage |
| 3. | South Sudan | 1-1 | 3 | Potential knockout stage |
| 4. | Puerto Rico | 0-2 | 0 |
Points: Two for win, one for loss. Third team in each group may advance based on ranking.
- Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Derrick White, Boston Celtics
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Isaiah Pineiro
- George Conditt IV
- Jordan Howard
- Davon Reed
- Joseph Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans
- Stephen Thompson Jr.
- Aleem Ford
- Gian Clavell
- Ismael Romero
- Chris Ortiz
- Arnaldo Toro
- Tremont Waters
Every event at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be aired live across NBC, USA Network, E!, CNBC, GOLF Channel, and there will be a Spanish broadcast on Universo and Telemundo. All events will be available to stream live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.
Date: July 24-Aug. 11
TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, Universo, CNBC and Golf Channel
Streaming: Peacock, nbcolympics.com, fuboTV
- Aug. 3: Team USA vs. Puerto Rico, 11:15 a.m. ET, NBC
For the men, here is how the early games shake out.
- July 28: USA 110-84 Serbia, Final
- July 31: USA 103-86 South Sudan, Final
- August 3: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 11:15 a.m. ET
Our 2024 Paris Olympics medal count tracker updates after every single medal event.
Follow along with all highlights and results from Sunday with USA TODAY’s live blog.
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