Team USA Faces Challenges Ahead of Olympic Opener Against Serbia
- Joel Embiid missed practice due to illness, while Anthony Davis also faced similar issues in the days leading up to the Olympic game against Serbia.
- Head coach Steve Kerr reassured fans that he expects both players to participate in the upcoming match.
- Team USA previously defeated Serbia 105-79 in a prior matchup.
PARIS – As Team USA prepares to kick off its Olympic campaign, the squad is grappling with health issues among its key players. Joel Embiid missed practice on Saturday due to illness, while Anthony Davis has also been sidelined for several days. Despite these setbacks, head coach Steve Kerr expressed optimism that both players will be available for the crucial opener against Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. "I'm confident we'll have everybody ready [Sunday]," Kerr stated. Kevin Durant, who has been recovering from a calf injury, participated in his third consecutive practice and is expected to play against Serbia. Kerr noted Durant's positive progress, saying, "He came through the scrimmage two days ago pretty well." His teammates are eager for his return, highlighting the importance of his presence on the court. Serbia, which secured a silver medal at last year's World Cup, boasts a formidable roster with significant size and experience. Jokic, along with Bogdanovic, brings a wealth of international competition experience, having faced Team USA in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Davis acknowledged Jokic's unique skill set, emphasizing the different dynamics of international play compared to the NBA. As the team gears up for the match, LeBron James underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, "This is not like the NBA, where it's a marathon. The real thing starts tomorrow ... so we need to be ready to go, which we will be."