Kevin Durant and Draymond Green sit on the right as the US beat Puerto Rico 117-74 in the World Cup tie-in…while LeBron James praises Austin Reaves
Kevin Durant and Draymond Green sit on the right as the US beat Puerto Rico 117-74 in the World Cup tie-in…while LeBron James praises Austin Reaves
- Brunson recorded the only double-double of the game with 11 points and 12 rebs
- Anthony Edwards and Paolo Banchero led the U.S. with 15 points each in the game
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Kevin Durant and Draymond Green sat on the right as the United States rolled past Puerto Rico ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Anthony Edwards and Cam Johnson each scored 15 points as the U.S. dominated the game and secured a 117-74 win.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves made his international debut in the game, also earning a shoutout on Twitter from teammate LeBron James, “AR you so COLD man!!!”
Mikal Bridges scored 14 for the USA, which finished with seven players in double digits and outscored Puerto Rico 67-31 in the second half.
“A great night for us…I think the guys really picked up on what we’re trying to install on both sides,” said US coach Steve Kerr.
The United States secured a 117–74 victory over Puerto Rico ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup
NBA superstars Kevin Durant and Draymond Green were both in attendance during the game
Years Jackson Jr. scored 12, Jalen Brunson scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Bobby Portis and Brandon Ingram each scored 11 for the Americans.
“We just play together,” Brunson said. “We are still getting to know each other, but everyone really puts their egos aside to win and we have a lot of character guys. That is priority number 1 for each of them.’
It was the first of five exhibition games for the World Cup for the Americans and the only one to be played in the US.
The team will fly to Malaga, Spain on Tuesday for games this weekend against Slovenia and Spain, then head to the United Arab Emirates for games in Abu Dhabi against Greece and Germany.
Monday night’s game was the first of five exhibition games for the World Cup for the Americans
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves received a shoutout from his teammate LeBron James
The World Cup will be held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia throughout the tournament, with the USA in Manila. The US opens against New Zealand on August 26.
On Monday, Durant and Green enjoyed an entertaining performance after what has certainly been a pivotal off-season in both of their careers.
Following his blockbuster trade to the Phoenix Suns just before the NBA trade deadline, Durant saw his new team trade point guard Chris Paul in a move that brought three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Suns.
Green, on the other hand, re-signed a four-year, $100 million deal to remain with the Golden State Warriors after turning down the $27.5 million player option in his contract.