The Celtics star did not log a minute in Team USA’s Olympic opener but is expected to get time in Wednesday’s game.
Shaun Powell — The long, dramatic and most controversial issue facing the country is over.
“Jayson will play (Wednesday),” said USA Basketball coach Steve Kerr.
That would be Jayson Tatum, the First-Team All-NBA forward and champion who collected cobwebs, not sweat, when the Americans opened the Olympics on Sunday vs. Serbia.
Team USA’s next game is Wednesday against South Sudan (3 p.m. ET).
Kerr caused a stir when he chose to sit Tatum, who wasn’t hurt or ill. This isn’t unprecedented in history as other American players have sat before (Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play against Serbia either). But what made this unique was Tatum’s status in the game and the 2024 NBA title he just won.
Kerr said it wasn’t personal, and Tatum at least publicly hasn’t expressed any unhappiness. Still, it was unusual and, perhaps to Tatum’s fans, disrespectful.
The USA coach explained he wanted to give Kevin Durant, who hadn’t participated in any of the exhibitions, some playing time. And Kerr thought size was more important against Serbia as he used three centers against its star player, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Kerr, who seemed somewhat apologetic about the situation, also said on a team of 12 players that someone would sit.
“I’m not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn’t,” Kerr said. “But we’re going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens.”
Kerr approached Tatum before the game and told him of the decision. He said Tatum “handled it well.”
Strangely enough, the Americans won by 26 points, and Tatum not playing became a basketball talking point.
Kerr said sacrifice is something the team must embrace, given the depth and rich talent on this team.
“Be one of 12 and try to win a gold medal for your country,” he said.
