Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Siena on March 19, 2026 at Approx. 2:50 p.m.
/
Approx. 2:50 p.m.
Men's Basketball
vs Siena
Photo by: Getty Images
Tatum's Late Surge Sends USA to Olympic Semifinals
8/3/2021 10:20:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TOKYO (USA Basketball) — It was a battle of basketball titans, playing on the biggest of international stages.
And during the first half of Tuesday's semifinal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team (3-1) and Spain (2-2) danced with each other, felt each other out and landed significant blows each way.
But in the third quarter it was the top-ranked Americans who quickly landed the haymaker. There was no standing eight count, but the second-ranked Spaniards were staggered. By hitting five 3-pointers and not allowing Spain to make a field goal for almost six minutes to begin the second half, the U.S. advanced to the Olympic semifinals with a 95-81 victory on Tuesday at Saitama Super Arena.
The U.S., three-time defending gold medalist and winner of 15 golds in 18 trips to the Olympics leading up to Tokyo, will face either Australia or Argentina in Thursday's semifinals. The U.S. is 8-0 against Australia and 7-1 vs. Argentina in Olympic play.
Kevin Durant scored 13 of his 29 points in the third quarter, hitting two early 3-pointers to open the second half, and he lead five Americans in double figures. Former Duke men's basketball standout Jayson Tatum had 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to help put Spain away, while Jrue Holiday added 12 points, Damian Lillard 11 and Zach LaVine 10 points. The Americans improved to 13-0 versus Spain in Olympic action.
Tatum has averaged 15.8 points in for the United States in four games during the Olympics men's basketball tournament in Tokyo.
Following a rare Olympic loss to France (3-0) to begin the tournament, the U.S. has steadily looked better and better in its last three games. The team might be finding the right elements needed to create chemistry at just the right time for a sqaud that expects nothing less than gold.
#GoDuke
And during the first half of Tuesday's semifinal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team (3-1) and Spain (2-2) danced with each other, felt each other out and landed significant blows each way.
But in the third quarter it was the top-ranked Americans who quickly landed the haymaker. There was no standing eight count, but the second-ranked Spaniards were staggered. By hitting five 3-pointers and not allowing Spain to make a field goal for almost six minutes to begin the second half, the U.S. advanced to the Olympic semifinals with a 95-81 victory on Tuesday at Saitama Super Arena.
The U.S., three-time defending gold medalist and winner of 15 golds in 18 trips to the Olympics leading up to Tokyo, will face either Australia or Argentina in Thursday's semifinals. The U.S. is 8-0 against Australia and 7-1 vs. Argentina in Olympic play.
Kevin Durant scored 13 of his 29 points in the third quarter, hitting two early 3-pointers to open the second half, and he lead five Americans in double figures. Former Duke men's basketball standout Jayson Tatum had 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to help put Spain away, while Jrue Holiday added 12 points, Damian Lillard 11 and Zach LaVine 10 points. The Americans improved to 13-0 versus Spain in Olympic action.
Tatum has averaged 15.8 points in for the United States in four games during the Olympics men's basketball tournament in Tokyo.
Following a rare Olympic loss to France (3-0) to begin the tournament, the U.S. has steadily looked better and better in its last three games. The team might be finding the right elements needed to create chemistry at just the right time for a sqaud that expects nothing less than gold.
#GoDuke
Duke Press Conference: ACC Championship vs. Virginia
Monday, March 16
Duke Press Conference: ACC Semifinals vs. Clemson
Monday, March 16
Duke vs Virginia: Every Bucket
Sunday, March 15
Duke vs Clemson: Every Bucket
Saturday, March 14
