Jayson Tatum Stuffs the Stat Sheet in Team USA’s Win vs. Puerto Rico

The United States men’s basketball team had already secured their spot in the quarterfinals before Saturday’s group play finale against Puerto Rico.

However, to clinch the top overall seed for the knockout play starting Tuesday in Paris, and to face the less challenging No. 3 seeds, a victory was still necessary.

Jayson Tatum contributed to the effort by recording the first double-double of his Olympic career.

 

The five-time All-Star moved into the starting lineup, replacing Jrue Holiday, who was downgraded from questionable to inactive due to an ankle injury sustained in Team USA’s 103-86 win over South Sudan on Wednesday.

 

In the first seven minutes of the game, Tatum scored six points on perfect 3/3 shooting, made two steals, grabbed two rebounds, and provided an assist.

Though Derrick White had a quieter offensive performance, he excelled in his role on a star-studded roster, as he often does with the Celtics. The two-time All-Defensive Team selection recorded a steal, blocked a Jordan Howard drive, and contributed two points, two assists, and a rebound in Team USA’s 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico.

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