Heading into the 2021 Olympic exhibitions, much of the NBA world classified this year’s Team USA group as “Kevin Durant’s team.” While that distinction is rightfully-earned, for one half, it looked as though Damian Lillard was going to put the notion to the test. Team USA rode the Portland Trail Blazers star’s scintillating first half to a nine-point halftime lead. But, as a lack of defense and glaring chemistry concerns reared their ugly heads, they proved no match for Patty Mills and Australia, falling in 91-83 fashion.
The United States has now lost back-to-back exhibition games for the first time since NBA players took over in 1992.