The United States men’s basketball team fell in its first game before the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The Americans took on Nigeria on Saturday night, and thanks to a scorching hot shooting performance by the Nigerians, they managed to come out on top, 90-87.
While this game was expected to be more competitive than their face off at the 2012 Olympics — the Americans won comfortably that day, 156-73 — no one expected Mike Brown’s Nigeria side to head to Vegas and pick up the win. But behind a 21-point performance from Miami Heat reserve guard Gabe Vincent and 17 from Caleb Agada of Israel-based side Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the Nigerians were able to overcome being viewed as a 28.5-point underdog.
21 PTS. 6 3PM. 4 AST.
Gabe Vincent led all scorers in Nigeria's exhibition victory over #USABMNT! pic.twitter.com/HFclF14xvN
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2021
Nigeria upset the USA in an exhibition match, 90-87. According to Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, the USA was a 28.5-point favorite. pic.twitter.com/aMQWWcU7bf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2021
In response to the win, the official Twitter account of the Nigerian basketball team took a well-deserved victory lap.
NIGERIA BEATS USA!!!! pic.twitter.com/CpdJDQOW4x
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 11, 2021
RESPECT US.
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 11, 2021
NAIJA NO DEY CARRY LAST!!!
This is just the beginning pic.twitter.com/KEApiJvaXX
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 11, 2021
This game might not count but it means so much to an entire country.
NAIJA NO DEY CARRY LAST!
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 11, 2021
There was even a joke at the expense of Team USA center Bam Adebayo, who was eligible to represent Nigeria but opted to play for the Americans.
.@Bam1of1 pic.twitter.com/CznqzonE91
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) July 11, 2021
The American offense was stagnant for much of the night, but they had just enough firepower to stay in it late. Unfortunately for them, one of the strangest offensive possessions we’ve seen in some time capped off the night. Down by three with a hair over 13 seconds left, the United States appeared to run a play for Zach LaVine that simply took far too long. By the time he was fouled — he’d go on to miss both from the charity stripe — the amount of time remaining on the clock did not let them do much of anything.
Nigeria upsets the USA 90-87, this was the final US possession down 3 pic.twitter.com/zZRklrVqdn
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) July 11, 2021
It also didn’t help that the Nigerians played some spectacular basketball — the side played with a chip on their shoulders all evening, with guys like Miami Heat youngster Precious Achiuwa sending an attempted layup by Kevin Durant into the stands with authority.
Well… @PreciousAchiuwa won this meeting at the rim. sheesh
pic.twitter.com/ua1RjxZMDe
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 11, 2021
With the caveat that this is an exhibition without three players expected to contribute due to their playing in the NBA Finals, this was a rough loss for the Americans, which enter every game during Olympic season with aspirations of winning big. USA Basketball will try to right the ship on Monday, July 12, during its next tune-up game against a pesky Australian team that has aspirations of winning a medal, even though standout guard Ben Simmons opted to pass on going to Tokyo.
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