- Lithuania defeated the USA 110-104 to hand the USA their first loss in the FIBA World Cup.
- The quarterfinals will feature Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia.
- Australia’s Boomers were unable to advance to the quarterfinals.
In an unexpected upset, Lithuania defeated the USA 110-104 to hand the USA their first loss in the FIBA World Cup.
The USA had previously won three games during the group round, but their opening encounter of the second preliminary round against Montenegro gave them a small scare. But with brilliant long-range shooting, Lithuania swiftly seized the lead.
World Cup
Austin Reaves and Jaren Jackson Jr. both received early foul trouble as a result of the European team’s dominance on the boards and targeting of the LA Lakers guard.
At halftime, Lithuania had a 17-point advantage, but the United States overcame that disadvantage in the first five minutes of the third quarter. A second chance basket or a three-pointer from Lithuania was in response, and in the fourth quarter, Mindaugas Kuzminskas sank an absurd Hail Mary three-pointer while being under intense ball pressure.
Although Anthony Edwards scored a total of 35 points, his team was unable to pass the finish line. The only nations the USA has lost to since 2019 are Australia, France, Nigeria, and now Lithuania.
The quarterfinals will feature Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia. Despite defeats to Germany and Slovenia, Australia’s Boomers were unable to advance to the quarterfinals or compete for a medal. Their disastrous World Cup campaign came to an end with a 100-84 victory against Georgia.
