Olympics update: USA Basketball loses to France in horrific fashion

By Staff | Jul 25, 2021

USA's Zachary Lavine (L) goes for the basket past France's Rudy Gobert during the men's preliminary round group A basketball match between France and USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Eric GAY / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ERIC GAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

The USA Men’s Basketball Team lost for the first time in 17 years on Sunday morning, falling 83-76 to France in a stunning upset.

If you’re waking up and excited to see how badly the USA beat France in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, go back to bed.

On Sunday morning, the USA was shocked in a 83-76 defeat that concluded with the Frenchmen going on a 16-2 run to win. For the Americans, it’s the first time since 2004 the team has lost in Olympic competition, harkening back to the worst of times for the program.

For many, the loss is surprising but also a long time coming. The roster appears to be the weakest it has been in perhaps a decade, even with stars such as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, Milwaukee Bucks forward Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant all on the squad.

After the game, the reaction on Twitter was predictable:

France snaps the U.S. men's 25-game winning streak in the Olympics and wins 83-76.

It's the 1st loss for Team USA men's basketball in the Olympics since 2004 when it fell to Argentina in Athens. pic.twitter.com/78v2cxLUuC
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 25, 2021

i am not convinced that Team USA isn’t losing on purpose. i’m not a conspiracy theorist, but would Team USA have any reason to try & tarnish USA basketballs legacy? 🤔 make it make sense. https://t.co/ZnR7wsaoUj
— Alexis Kraft (@TheAlexisKraft) July 25, 2021

Olympic Melo pulling up to Tokyo after watching Team USA pic.twitter.com/ejIeEEISQi
— Stephen A. Smith Burner’s Burner Parody (@TheSASBurner) July 25, 2021

Gregg Popovich has received a pass but he's been abysmal as Team USA's coach.
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) July 25, 2021

Can the USA Basketball team still win the gold medal?

So what next for the Men’s team as it tries to medal in these games?

On Wednesday, the Americans try to rebound against Iran at 12:40 p.m. ET, before playing again on the 31st against an opponent to be determined. From there, it’s the Men’s Quarterfinals on Aug. 3, the semifinals on Aug. 5 with the Gold Medal Game on Aug. 6 and Bronze Medal Game on Aug. 7.

At 0-1 in the tournament, the USA needs desperately to beat Iran before thinking about some more tough competition, such as Spain, Argentina, Australia and potentially France again.

Home/Olympic Basketball