Team USA shocked fans by deciding to sit out Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers for the entire game against South Sudan on Wednesday.
This move brought back memories of Sunday’s game against Serbia, where Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics also didn’t play. However, Coach Steve Kerr utilized a 10-man rotation on Sunday, which meant Tyrese Haliburton didn’t see any action either. In contrast, Embiid was the sole player to sit out in today’s match.
Instead, the USA opted to start Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, who was supported by Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. They cruised to a comfortable 103-86 victory over South Sudan, a stark contrast to their narrow exhibition match win. Adebayo stood out with extended playing time, tallying 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks on an impressive 8 of 10 shooting. Davis also put on a strong performance on both ends of the court.
It’s essential for the media not to blow Embiid’s absence out of proportion, considering the necessity of rest for a player with a history of injuries. Moreover, Embiid seems unfazed by the benching, sharing his viewpoint on the stacked Team USA roster with BasketNews.
“In the NBA, I’m accustomed to being the focal point. Now, you have to give way, and I’m embracing it,” expressed Embiid.
If the trend of being benched before entering the starting lineup persists, Embiid is expected to rejoin the starting five against Puerto Rico on August 3.