Dubbed the guiding force of the team, Anthony Edwards showcased his explosive prowess against Jordan, propelling the United States to a resounding 110-62 victory, solidifying their perfect record.
As the United States marches forward, they are set to face formidable challenges against Montenegro and Lithuania in the Second Round. Meanwhile, Jordan’s journey leads them to the Classification Games 17-32, where they strive to chase dreams of Olympic qualification through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Defining Moment:
The pivotal turning point emerged on April 29, marked by the official FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 draw, presented by Wanda. This moment united the United States and Jordan within the same group. Undoubtedly, one was destined to hold the favor of winning the entire event, while the other grappled with a mere single victory across 10 previous World Cup matches.
In this game, no suspense lingered; the USA swiftly asserted dominance from the instant Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed the first two points of the match.
TCL Player of the Game:
Anthony Edwards promptly stamped his mark on the game, amassing 13 points in the early stages, leaving Jordan in a daze. The 22-year-old sensation left his imprint with 22 points, achieved through 8-of-16 shooting. Alongside his scoring prowess, he secured 8 rebounds and distributed 4 assists.
Numbers Illuminate:
Every facet favored the United States. Particularly noteworthy was their domination in points in the paint, where they held a commanding 56-22 advantage.
Bottom Line:
Coach Steve Kerr has already set his sights on Montenegro and Lithuania, skillfully managing player rotations throughout the Group C stage. In the face of Jordan, only Tyrese Haliburton exceeded 20 minutes of playtime.
For Jordan, Rondae Hollis Jefferson continued his remarkable journey, contributing 20 points and 7 rebounds.
Voices from the Arena:
“We aimed to put up a spirited fight. Unfortunately, in the first quarter, we couldn’t muster the resilience we displayed in the initial two games. There are significant disparities between USA basketball and Jordan basketball.” – Wesam Al-Sous, Jordan’s Head Coach
“Our objective was to explore various lineups. FIBA’s unique timeline presents a challenge, with limited weeks compared to the prolonged NBA season. We sought to assess Josh Hart with the starting lineup and Brandon Ingram with the subsequent unit to gauge compatibility. The flow was commendable despite the non-competitive nature of the game. While no decisions have been finalized, we aimed to experiment.” – Steve Kerr, USA Head Coach
“The depth is invaluable moving forward. Some nights may not be as favorable, but players like Tyrese Haliburton, Austin Reaves, Jalen Brunson, and the entire roster possess the capacity to contribute. We feed off one another, and this depth is a pivotal asset.” – Anthony Edwards, USA
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