Ex-NBA Star Austin Rivers Reacts To Jayson Tatum Benching

Austin Rivers sent out a post on X after Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum did not play in Team USA's victory over Serbia.

Jan 13, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers (25) warms up before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, Team USA defeated Serbia by a score of 110-84 to win their first game of the 2024 Olympics.

However, two players (Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton) and (Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum) did not play in the game.

While Haliburton had been expected to get limited minutes, a lot of fans were reacting to the news of Tatum's benching on social media.

Jayson Tatum did not play today. pic.twitter.com/XLXdkbRLv5

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 28, 2024

One person who sent out a post (via X) was former NBA player Austin Rivers.

His post had over 4,000 likes and 210,000 impressions in 13 hours.

Rivers wrote: "We got people on the internet clowning Tatum and Hali for getting no burn. Yall corny for that!! Both these dudes were standing the whole game supporting their squad, and both will have an impact at some point or another in these games. They are what winners look like 💯"

We got people on the internet clowning Tatum and Hali for getting no burn. Yall corny for that!! Both these dudes were standing the whole game supporting their squad, and both will have an impact at some point or another in these games. They are what winners look like 💯

— Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) July 29, 2024

Tatum is one of the ten best players in the league and is coming off a year where he led the Celtics to the NBA Championship over the Dallas Mavericks.

He finished the regular season with averages of 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point range in 74 games.

Team USA will play their next game on Wednesday when they face off against South Sudan.

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Jayson Tatum (10) shoots against Canada guard Jamal Murray (4) in the second quarter in the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports / Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

As for Rivers, he played 11 seasons for the Clippers, Hornets, Rockets, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Wizards and Knicks.

The former Duke star most recently played for the Timberwovles during the 2022-23 season.