LAS VEGAS - Team USA suffered a surprise and serious defeat in their first exhibition game before the Olympics, going down 90-87 to Nigeria on Saturday night.
The Americans had been in the game 54-2 at the Exhibition Games since they began playing by the pros in 1992, and had beaten Nigeria by 83 points at the London Olympics just nine years earlier. Five years ago Team USA beat Nigeria by 43 points in an exhibition.
There are seven current NBA players in Nigeria, and this talent is particularly shown in their physical defense and 3-point shooting. But the Americans introduced five All-NBA players and were unable to perform against a team that was a common challenge in international competition.
"In a way, I'm glad it happened," Team USA coach Greg Popovich said. "It doesn't make sense if we don't learn from it. That could be the most important thing for us in this tournament. Lessons to be learned from it."
Team USA came in this week with only four days of practice, and Friday was a light workout with no scramble. Nigeria first assembled on 20 June and put together the entire team from 27 June. showed the difference.
When the pressure came – as Nigeria overcame a 10-point deficit and made it clear there was a potential foul to be had – the Americans tightened up and began to play a very isolation-heavy offense. But with players like Damien Lillard, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beale, Team USA has some of the best isolation players in the world.
But all three were rusty and troubled by the size of the opposition and shot 9-of-30 combined. Durant finished with 17 points but could make only 2 of his first 11 shots. Beale played poorly, going 1-of-7, and Lillard didn't have his typical late-game magic as he missed several open looks.
"None of us have ever played each other, we are trying to figure it out," said Jason Tatum, who had 15 points and seven rebounds. "We don't have three to four weeks. It's good for us, we will learn a lot from the film and we will regroup."
After falling down eight points with less than two minutes to spare, Team USA mounted a furious rally and had a chance to tie the ball twice, but its execution was poor. After Popovich finished his final time with 13 seconds to play, the ensuing possession was a mess and Team USA could not take a shot.
"I don't think anyone should act, and neither will we act like it's the end of the world," Popovich said. "It deserves a lot of credit for just about everyone, and we have to play our ass to make that happen."
Nigeria scored 20-3-pointers out of 42, racking up 21 assists while repeatedly passing Team USA rounds. Guard Gabe Vincent, who plays for the Miami Heat and is gone by Gabe Nnamdi while playing for Nigeria, scored 6-of-8 3-pointers and finished with 21 points. Caleb Agada, who plays in the Israeli league and will soon be playing the summer league with the Denver Nuggets, scored 17 points off the bench.
"It was an exhibition and at the end of the day it doesn't make much sense in the standings," said current assistant Nigerian coach Mike Brown of the Golden State Warriors. "But it's a good win for us. I don't think any African team has been able to beat USA Basketball."