Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum missed the U.S. Olympic team's opener against Serbia on July 28, 2024, raising concerns about his health and the team's overall fitness ahead of the Tokyo Games.
Jayson Tatum, one of the most anticipated players on the U.S. Olympic basketball team, missed the team's opening game against Serbia on July 28, 2024, due to an unspecified illness. His absence sparked concerns about his health and the team's overall fitness ahead of the Tokyo Games.
Tatum's Absence in U.S. Olympic Opener Raises Questions about Team's Health
Tatum, who was expected to be one of the team's leaders, did not play in the game, which the U.S. won 94-75. Head coach Gregg Popovich said after the game that Tatum was "under the weather" and that he would be evaluated further.
"We're still waiting for the results of his tests," Popovich said. "But we're hoping he'll be back soon."
Tatum's absence is a blow to the U.S. team, which is already dealing with the absence of several other key players, including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Stephen Curry. Without Tatum, the team will rely more heavily on players like Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, and Donovan Mitchell to score.
The team's overall health is also a concern. In addition to Tatum, several other players have missed time with injuries, including Jrue Holiday and Zach LaVine. Popovich has said that he is "not worried" about the team's health, but the absence of so many key players is a cause for concern.
The U.S. team will play its next game on July 30 against France. Tatum's status for that game is uncertain.
If Tatum is unable to play, it will be a major setback for the U.S. team. However, Popovich has said that he is confident in the team's depth and that they will be ready to compete for a gold medal in Tokyo.
* Tatum eventually did play in the Tokyo Olympics, helping the U.S. team win the gold medal.
* The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal in Tokyo, defeating France in the final.
* Tatum averaged 15.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in the Olympics.
