Jazz C Walker Kessler Starts in Team USA Defeat to Canada

Team USA places fourth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Dillion Brooks led all scorers with 38 points while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 31 as Team Canada defeated Team USA in overtime, 127-118. Mikel Bridges led Team USA with 31 points in a losing cause. 

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler got his first start in the tournament, but it was more as a necessity rather than a conscience choice made by USA head coach Steve Kerr. Jaren Jackson, Brandon Ingram, and Paulo Banchero all missed the game due to illness. Kessler ended up scoring six points while hauling seven rebounds in 16 minutes of action. 

Team USA continued the trend of lack of defensive consistency in their final contest. Canada finished the game shooting 51.2 % from the field and a scorching 45.9% from long distance in a game that had the feel of an NBA game. 

It was entertaining for fans, but if Team USA is going to compete in the 2024 Olympics, they’ll have to make changes on the defensive side of the ball. Kerr took note in the post-game press conference.

"We just didn't defend well enough against Germany [in the semifinals] or against Canada, and that's the bottom line,” Kerr said. "Every year when you try to build a team, you try to build the best two-way team you can and be able to get stops and score, and everybody's trying to do that."

Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk had a good showing in his first FIBA tournament, but on Sunday, he was limited to only 12 minutes on the court. Olynyk made the most of the opportunity with an 11-point performance. 

Ex-Jazzman Nickeil Alexander-Walker also participated in the contest, scoring five points on 1-for-8 shooting.

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