Halfway to gold, the U.S. basketball team has solidified its position as the No. 1 seed heading into the medal round at the Paris Olympics. In a commanding performance, Anthony Edwards led the team with 26 points as six players scored in double digits, propelling the Americans to a 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday. The U.S., undefeated in these Olympics and 8-0 this summer, will face Brazil in a high-stakes quarterfinal in Paris on Tuesday.
The Americans showcased their depth with standout contributions from Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant, scoring 15 and 11 points, respectively. Durant is nearing the all-time Olympic scoring record for the U.S., with 483 points, just shy of Lisa Leslie’s 488. LeBron James also made a significant impact, recording 10 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in just 18 minutes. The U.S. played without Jrue Holiday, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained in the victory over South Sudan.
Anthony Volpe delivers grand slam, career-high five RBI in return as Yankees sweep Rockies Saturday’s game marked the first Olympic matchup between the U.S. and Puerto Rico since the 2004 Athens Games, where Puerto Rico famously defeated the U.S. in James’ Olympic debut. This time, the U.S. reversed the narrative, dominating the second quarter 39-16 and securing a decisive lead. The Americans’ relentless offense, combined with James’ leadership, ensured a smooth path to the top seed, maintaining their unbeaten streak in Paris.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.