‘Incredible’: Team USA shocked in ‘one of the great upsets’ in basketball history
Team USA has been stunned 90-87 by Nigeria in what has been described as “one of the great upsets in international basketball history”.
Well, no one saw that coming.
Team USA has been stunned 90-87 by Nigeria in what has been described as “one of the great upsets in international basketball history”.
It is the US men’s basketball team’s first-ever defeat to an African nation.
Nigeria took full advantage from beyond the arc to make 20 3-pointers while also posting points through transition buckets.
It came nine years after Nigeria lost by 83 points to the US at the 2012 Olympics.
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The USA starting line-up consisted of Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo.
Nigeria, meanwhile, was coached by Warriors associate head coach Mike Brown and had eight players with NBA experience.
The Miami Heat’s Gabe Vincent hit six of those 20 3-pointers for Nigeria and finished with 21 points.
Durant had 17 for USA while shooting 4-of-13. He was supported by Jayson Tatum (15) and Damian Lillard (14).
“In a way, I’m kind of glad it happened,” Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said at fulltime.
“That means nothing if we don’t learn from it. It could be the most important thing in this tournament for us.”
Tatum admitted at halftime that not everything was going to plan in gelling as a unit.
“A lot going on,” Tatum said on the NBCSN broadcast at halftime.
“First game. It’s our first game playing together, trying to get a rhythm. Trying to get a feel for the game, for each other.
“Trying to get into the flow, get in shape. So we’re trying to figure a lot of things out.”
Final: Nigeria 90 USA 87
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 11, 2021
just an exhibition game, but that is an absolutely historic upset by Nigeria. 30-POINT UNDERDOGS.
That is embarrassing. Congrats to Mike Brown, but damn fellas. How bout we respect our opponent and defend the three point line
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) July 11, 2021
Nigeria 90, Team USA 87 with 13.2 seconds left in a pre-Olympic exhibition in Vegas. Team USA ball out of timeout. This would be among one of the great upsets in international basketball history.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2021
U-S-uh? The menâs national team team just dropped their exhibition opener, 90-87, to Nigeria.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 11, 2021
Final: Nigeria 90 USA 87
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 11, 2021
just an exhibition game, but that is an absolutely historic upset by Nigeria. 30-POINT UNDERDOGS.
Nigeria is currently beating menâs National basketball tm. I know itâs exhibition, but Damn.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) July 11, 2021
Nigeria just beat Team USA basketball. One of the biggest upsets in international basketball history.
— Craig Melvin (@craigmelvin) July 11, 2021
What a moment for Mike Brown. Took the job as head coach of the Nigerian national team in hopes of transforming the program over the next half-decade. Quite an immediate boost. They just upset Team USA in an Olympic exhibition opener in Vegas.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 11, 2021
Nigeria 90, Team USA 87 with 13.2 seconds left in a pre-Olympic exhibition in Vegas. Team USA ball out of timeout. This would be among one of the great upsets in international basketball history.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2021
"A performance that will put Nigeria on the Olympic map". Nigeria beat Team USA. Granted it was an exhibition game, but what a remarkable, historic and positive result for international basketball. The Boomers have been put on notice with a group clash against Nigeria awaiting ð
— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) July 11, 2021
Originally published as ‘Incredible’: Team USA shocked in ‘one of the great upsets’ in basketball history