Inside The Celtics

Jayson Tatum Stuffs the Stat Sheet in Team USA's Win vs. Puerto Rico

Bobby Krivitsky

Jul 31, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States small forward Jayson Tatum (10) grabs a rebound in the first quarter against South Sudan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States small forward Jayson Tatum (10) grabs a rebound in the first quarter against South Sudan during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
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The United States men's basketball team had already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, entering Saturday's group play finale against Puerto Rico.

However, earning the top No. 1 overall seed in knockout play, which starts Tuesday in Paris, and facing the two No. 3 seeds, which the rankings will tell you are the less challenging opponents, still required a victory.

Jayson Tatum helped that cause by registering the first double-double of his Olympic career.

The five-time All-Star slid into the starting lineup in place of Jrue Holiday, downgraded from questionable to inactive due to an ankle injury he suffered in Team USA's 103-86 win over South Sudan on Wednesday.

Tatum generated six points on 3/3 shooting in the game's first seven minutes. He also swiped two steals, grabbed a pair of rebounds, and dished out an assist in his opening shift.

He entered halftime with eight points, converting on 4/5 field goal attempts and six rebounds, pacing all participants in that category. He also tacked on another assist and had a plus-12 plus-minus rating at the break, helping the U.S. take a 64-45 advantage into intermission.

Tatum finished with ten points, and his ten rebounds tied Puerto Rico's Ismael Romero for a game-high. He also had three assists, two steals, and a plus-nine plus-minus rating as he helped Team USA apply the finishing touches to its dominant display on Saturday.

And while this was a quieter showing offensively for Derrick White, who, as he does with the Celtics, is shining in his role on a star-studded roster, the two-time All-Defensive Team selection had a steal and stonewalled a Jordan Howard drive before blocking his shot.

White also contributed two points, two assists, and a rebound in Team USA's 104-83 victory against Puerto Rico.

Further Reading

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jayson Tatum Discusses Going from Benched to Starting for Team USA

Jrue Holiday, Derrick White Discuss Team USA's Opening Olympic Win

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Summer League Struggles Offer Valuable Lessons to Jordan Walsh

D.J. MacLeay Shares How Baylor Scheierman Impressed Him in Celtics Win vs. Lakers

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

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Bobby Krivitsky

BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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