After Team USA lost to Nigeria this past weekend, they followed it up by falling to Australia on Monday night.
Upon hearing the announcement of the roster for Team USA, many liked their chances heading into the 2020 Summer Olympics. Yet, the team fell to Nigeria 90-87 this past Saturday in the team’s first exhibition game to send shockwaves across the basketball world. Certainly USA would bounce back in their next exhibition game, right? Right?
On Monday night, USA lost to Australia by the score of 91-83 to extend their losing streak to two straight games. NBA Twitter simply could not believe what they were seeing.
NBA Twitter reacts to Team USA losing to Australia on Monday night
The U.S. men's basketball team suffered its 2nd loss in 3 days, falling to Australia in Las Vegas tonight, 91-83.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 13, 2021
It is the 1st time Team USA has lost back-to-back exhibition games since professionals started playing in 1992 (were 54-2 in exhibitions in this span prior to this). pic.twitter.com/8TAZG0XyBd
The Team USA we expected vs the Team USA currently: pic.twitter.com/CpTiR55IYB
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) July 13, 2021
The Nigerian and Australian teams when they see each other after beating Team USA pic.twitter.com/NZsCtrEyLj
— RingerNBA (@ringernba) July 13, 2021
Team USA is being relegated, per sources
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) July 13, 2021
There’s no better Space Jam promotion than LeBron showing up to save Team USA.
— Wildes (@kevinwildes) July 13, 2021
Could Alabama beat Team USA
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 13, 2021
— Travonne Edwards (@Travonne) July 13, 2021
Australia couldn’t have done this without Ben Simmons sitting at home
— Noor (@noorrzainab) July 13, 2021
If you can’t win a gold medal with this roster I am not interested in any excuses.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) July 13, 2021
Professional basketball players first joined the United States’ Olympic team back in 1992, and they had never lost back-to-back exhibition games since. Well, that all changed on Monday night after USA’s loss to Australia.
After their win, the Australian team received plenty of congratulatory tweets for their huge win, including from the Nigerian basketball team.
Twitter was made to have fun. pic.twitter.com/uRU9NmTq84
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 13, 2021
San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills shined for the Australia, as he recorded 22 points (9-for-24 shootnig), 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in over 30 minutes of playing time. As a team, Australia shot 52.9 percent from the field and 10-for-24 from the 3-point line (41.7 percent).
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard led the way for USA, as he scored 22 points (8-for-15 from the field) and grabbed 4 rebounds. Team USA shot 46.2 percent from the field and 13-for-36 from deep (36.1 percent).
Team USA will look to get a win before the Olypmics begin, as they face off against Argentina on Tuesday.