Team USA is not invincible.
Lithuania became the first team to dent the mighty USA’s record in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Lietuva weathered the second-half storm from Team USA, securing a 110-104 victory and claiming Group J leadership at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday evening.
Lithuania had a blistering start, making their first nine shots from deep and building a 54-37 lead at halftime.
However, the Americans emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, outscoring the Lithuanians 28-17 in the third quarter to narrow the deficit to just six points entering the fourth, with the score at 65-71.
Yet, Lietuva remained unfazed by Team USA’s comeback attempts in the fourth quarter. Instead, they provided the crucial baskets to maintain the gap and complete the upset against the world’s second-ranked team.
“We started the game very well. I believe that’s how we gained an advantage, and then we tried to maintain it until the end of the game. Congratulations to our guys; they executed the plan very well,” said Lithuania’s head coach Kazys Maksvytis referring to their 31-12 first-quarter performance.
Lietuva showcased their immense and deep talent, with nine players scoring at least nine points. Vaidas Kariniauskas led the team with 15 points, while Mindaugas Kuzminskas contributed 14 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, and Tomas Dimsa, Tadas Sedekerskis, and Ignas Brazdeikis each added 11 points.
Eimantas Bendzius scored 10 points, while Rokas Jokubaitis and Donatas Motiejunas earned nine points apiece. Anthony Edwards’ 35-point performance for Team USA ended in vain, with Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson providing 14 points each in the loss.
Both teams will begin knockout quarterfinals play on Tuesday. Lithuania, with a perfect 5-0 record, will face Group I’s second seed, Serbia, while the USA (4-1) will go up against the top-seeded Italy.
The Scores:
Lithuania 110 – Kariniauskas 15, Kuzminskas 14, Valanciunas 12, Sedekerskis 11, Brazdeikis 11, Dimsa 11, Bendzius 10, Jokubaitis 9, Motiejunas 9, Normantas 6, Sirvydis 2.
USA 104 – Edwards 35, Bridges 14, Brunson 14, Ingram 10, Portis Jr. 7, Reaves 7, Banchero 6, Haliburton 3, Johnson 3, Jackson Jr. 3, Kessler 2, Hart 0.
Quarterscores: 31-12, 54-37, 71-65, 110-104.
