USA stunned by Lithuania in shock upset at FIBA World Cup

The USA’s star studded basketball team has been handed a rare defeat at the basketball World Cup in a result very few saw coming.

Lithuania beat the USA in a huge upset.

Lithuania have handed the USA their first loss of the FIBA World Cup, defeating the star studded team 110-104 in a stunning upset that took the basketball world by surprise.

The USA breezed through with three group stage wins before they had a minor scare against Montenegro in the first match of the second preliminary round.

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But the Americans quickly found themselves in a dogfight against Lithuania, who shot to an early lead on the back of scintillating long range shooting in a clash between the two previously undefeated teams.

The European nation shot 9/9 three-pointers to open the game, while New Orleans Pelicans star Jonas Valanciunas asserted himself on the contest.

Lithuania dominated the rebounds and successfully targeted Austin Reaves, getting the LA Lakers guard and Jaren Jackson Jr in early foul trouble.

Lithuania led by 17 points at halftime, before the USA erased the deficit in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

Team USA were handed a rare loss. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Lithuania couldn’t miss from three point land. Photo: Twitter.

Anthony Edwards did his best but Lithuania were too good. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

But every time it seemed the Americans were about to take the lead, Lithuania responded with a second chance basket or a three-pointer.

The dagger game midway through the fourth quarter when Mindaugas Kuzminskas sunk an insane Hail Mary three-pointer as the shot clock ran out.

“Oh I don’t believe it,” the commentator exclaimed.

“You cannot be serious! Kuzminskas under incredible ball pressure, throws up a prayer over Anthony Edwards and scores.”

Lithuania 31, USA 12 after Q1. pic.twitter.com/wPEeJrjkBD

— Tom Ziller (@teamziller) September 3, 2023

Lithuania have the population of Brisbane, and they beat the USA!!! #FIBAWC

— Jackson MacDonald (@JMacDonald91) September 3, 2023

Anthony Edwards finished with 35 points but it wasn’t enough to drag his team over the line.

Since 2019, the USA have only lost to Australia, France, Nigeria and now Lithuania.

The USA had already done enough to qualify for the Paris Olympics, book their place in the quarterfinals and remain the favourite to win their first World Cup gold medal since 2014.

It means Lithuania, Latvia and Slovenia have all qualified for the quarterfinals.

Australia’s Boomers wrapped up their disappointing World Cup campaign with a consolation 100-84 win over Georgia on Sunday.

Losses to Germany and Slovenia ended any hopes the Boomers had of progressing to the quarterfinals and vying for a medal.